THE CONTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE STUDY ON DAY SCHOLARS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

In recent years, the academic performance in community secondary schools has been declining with tremendous enrolment of students. Researchers have highlighted different causes for such poor performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of private study on day scholars’ academic performance in community secondary schools. The study was conducted in Tabora region, particularly Uyui District, located in the central western part of Tanzania Mainland. In the process, descriptive crosssectional research design and a mixed research approaches were the major means of data collection and analyses. Data collection was done through questionnaires, focus group discussion and interview. The study sample comprised students (N=207) both poor and good performers among form four members, heads of schools (N=5) all from 5 secondary schools and parents (N=5). The study findings revealed that most day scholars did not have adequate private study time at home after school hours. This had probably contributed to their unsatisfactory academic performance that was observed among poor performers vis-à -vis good performers. Home climate had been identified as the critical challenge that faced most of day scholars in their private home study time. The poor performance of day scholars in community secondary schools can be attributed to inadequate private study time awhich has a direct link with home environment that support learning. Strategically, parents need to be educated on the future economic returns of education for their children that would help them create good home climate, which would support students learning after school hours.Â