Poor Academic Performance of Students in Agriculture at Primary Schools in Botswana: Analysis of Causes and Ways to ImproveSom Pal Baliyan

Abstract

This quantitative study analysed the factors that cause poor performance and identified the possible ways to improve the performance of students in agriculture at primary schools in Botswana. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire through a survey of a randomly sampled 200 students in primary schools in Botswana. A One sample t-test determined the twenty-five causes of the poor performance of students in agriculture; the six most important causes were found to be the shortage of appropriate tools and equipment, lack of libraries and laboratories, lack of out of schools activities, poor teaching methods, lack of practical work and, students’ negative attitude towards learning. Female students and students studying in schools located in urban areas perceived these causes as being more important compare to their counterparts in the rural areas. An Independent t-test determined eleven causes which showed a significant difference in performance between the male and female students as well as the students in schools located in the rural and urban areas, respectively. The six most important ways to improve the students’ performance were identified as the inclusion of more practical work in the syllabus, ensuring help out of the classroom, increasing practical work, providing accessible internet, providing updated textbooks and activating agricultural clubs in the schools. It is recommended that the policy makers and administrators to focus on the factors causing poor performance and the ways to improve performance while revising the existing agriculture curriculum.

Importance of Professionalism and Work Ethics in Agricultural Education in Botswana: Pre- and Post-Independence

“…Studies by Rammolai (2009), Squire (2009), Baliyan et al (2021), Moakofi et al (2017) show that within agricultural education in the country, there are some challenges affecting the teaching and learning of agriculture to include teacher morals, values, and ethics. Concerns have also been raised regarding resource availability for school agricultural education programs particularly in the form of inadequately prepared teachers in schools.…”

Parenting Styles and Learners’ Performance: Evidence from Junior Secondary Schools in Botswana

“…This situation has raised doubt in the education system; the public gets tempted to blame the teachers for it and on the other hand, teachers also accuse parents for not doing much to support their children at home (Mphale & Mhlauli, 2014). Several factors have influence on students' performance in Botswana such as gender of students, location of schools, lack of resources (Baliyan, Kagiso, Keregero, & Mabusa, 2021); distance to school and study hours after school (Baliyan & Khama, 2020) and; educational and income status of parents (Baliyan, Rao, & Baliyan, 2012;Kwarteng, Asiamah, Twumasi, Nkansah, Issaka, & Afetorgbor, 2022). The stakeholders of academic performance of students are the people involved in leading and directing them towards their development.…”