Selected Senior High Schools Research Articles

The Influence of Gender Differences in Mathematics Anxiety on Mathematics Performance

Mathematics anxiety is a recurrent issue that has profound effect on students, particularly females. This study is aimed at exploring the effect of gender differences in mathematics anxiety on mathematics performance among students in some selected Senior High Schools (SHS) in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was employed as the research design for the study. A total of 370 SHS students (185 males and 185 females) were sampled through Stratified sampling technique. An Abbreviated Mathematics Anxiety rating scale (AMAS) and Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) were adapted to measure student’s anxiety levels and mathematics performance respectively. Means and standard deviations, percentages, independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed in the data analysis. The results showed a notable gender-based variations (high, moderate and low) with both males and females exhibiting high prevalence of moderate levels in mathematics anxiety. Further, the study found disparities in the performance of the students in the MAT conducted with male students exhibiting a higher level of performance in comparison with the female counterparts. Finally, a moderate negative relationship between students' mathematics anxiety level and their mathematics performance was found. Thus, the higher the levels of mathematics anxiety, the lower the mathematics performance and vice versa. Therefore, efforts to reduce mathematics anxiety should be directed towards both males and females, with specific attention given to addressing the unique experiences of female. Implications for practice, policy and further research are discussed.

Lexical Errors in English Language Writing – The Case of selected Senior High School students in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

The present study analyses the lexical errors committed by students in their written output. Using the Quantitative approach, it examines the lexical errors of students selected from each of the three-layered categories (A, B, and C) of Senior High schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A sample of 824 out of 2713 students was arrived at through Yamane’s sample size determiner. The sample was selected through the systematic random sampling strategy. A model based on Corder’s Error Analysis theory was used to analyse the data. The results revealed that the students committed lexical errors in varying frequencies. Lexical errors identified from the essays were wrong word selections, literal translation, omission, misspelling, punctuation, capitalisation, modification, collocation, and morphological/word formation errors. Punctuation errors had the highest occurrence whereas literal translation errors had the least occurrence. The findings also revealed that lexical errors in the students’ output affected clarity and hindered effective communication by causing confusion, misinterpretation, and distortion of the intended messages. The study recommends that English language teachers should employ practical teaching and error correction strategies to address the writing challenges of students. Students should keep track of their learning; identify their weaknesses and relate such to their teachers for redress. Keywords: Error Analysis, Mistakes, Lexical errors, Senior High schools, Ghana.

Impact of Parent Interest in Mathematics and Students Mathematics Interest on Student Mathematics Achievement

A student's academic and cognitive development is greatly influenced by their mathematics education, and the importance of parental participation in promoting this interest cannot be estimated. The study aims to evaluate the impact of parental interest in mathematics and student’s mathematics interest on students’ mathematics achievement. The study employed quantitative research method with the used of structured questionnaire for collecting data. The sample of the study comprised of 200 first-year students from four selected senior high school in Ghana-Kumasi. The study findings revealed that, parent interest and student interest in mathematics had a statistically significant direct positive impact on students’ mathematics achievement. Moreover, there relationship between parental interest and students’ interest in mathematics had a positive effect and was statistically significant.

Evaluation of students’ performance in elective mathematics: The effect of high school students’ perceived difficulty of the subject

Perception has been attributed as a major cause of students' weakness in mathematics. Hence, this study evaluates its effect on student’s performance in the area of mathematics as an elective subject in some selected Senior High School (SHS) in Ghana. Mixed method research design that employed questionnaire with closed-ended and open-ended items were used in the collection of the data. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 300 students as sample for the study. Descriptive statistics and Multiple regression were used to analyse the quantitative data. Again, thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The findings showed that, SHS students perceived elective mathematics as a difficult subject. Nonetheless, they perceived the teacher-learner activities employed by their teachers in elective mathematics classroom as motivating. Further, they perceived as constructive, the teaching methods used by their elective mathematics teachers. In addition, the study revealed that students’ performance in elective mathematics was not significantly influenced by their perceived difficulty of elective mathematics, teacher motivation and teaching methods although the students expressed favourable dispositions towards these attributes. Thus, the need for Heads of High Schools, to do background check of students’ prior performance, interest and motivation in mathematics as a prerequisite condition for students to pursue elective mathematics is implied in this study. This could stem the tide in the students’ abysmal performance in elective mathematics. Implications for policy, practice and further research are discussed.

Assessing occupational health and safety practices among kitchen staff of selected senior high schools in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Assessing occupational health and safety practices among kitchen staff of selected senior high schools in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

STRATEGIES IN ORAL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: A PEDAGOGICAL STUDY OF SOME GHANAIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Research on English language instruction, particularly on oral English, is increasingly growing in Ghana and in many countries where the English language is not only used as an official language but also as a language for the medium of instruction and a subject of study in schools. This can perhaps be attributed to the global demand for and use of the English language despite the many difficulties in its instruction. The current study investigates the instructional strategies teachers of English in selected senior high schools in Ghana employ during oral English instruction. Utilizing a mixed-method approach with a convergent parallel design, the study collected data through questionnaires, interviews, and classroom observations involving 43 English teachers from five senior high schools. The findings reveal a predominant reliance on traditional and direct instructional strategies such as question-and-answer sessions and drills in lieu of more interactive and indirect methods like paired conversations, oral reports, debates, etc. Meanwhile, teachers attribute their instructional choices to large class sizes, teaching environment, instructional resources and the teacher’s pedagogical skills. Based on these findings, The study concludes by advocating for the integration of a diverse range of instructional strategies, especially interactive and experiential strategies, to enhance student engagement and improve oral language competencies both inside and outside the classroom.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0770/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Evidence-Based Study into the Coping Demands of Headmistresses in Selected Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis: A Mixed Method Study

Evidence-Based Study into the Coping Demands of Headmistresses in Selected Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis: A Mixed Method Study

Impact of formative assessment in improving writing skills in English as a second language among selected senior high schools in Sulu

This descriptive-correlational study examined the impact of formative assessment on English as a second language writing skills in public senior high schools in Sulu during the School Year 2023-2024 using 100 samples taken through non-probability sampling via purposive sampling. It used weighted mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent samples, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson's and found the following:1) Of the 100 student-respondents, mostly male, 19–20 years old, enrolled in GAS strand, whose parents have elementary education and monthly incomes of 10,000 or less; 2) Formative assessment improved English writing skills on average; 3) Besides age, gender, strand, parent's educational attainment, and parent's average monthly income significantly moderate how senior high school students evaluate formative assessment's impact on English writing skills. The impact of formative assessment on English writing skills is perceived differently by student-respondents in different strands. ABM students perceive Writing Skill Development better, TVL students’ perception Teacher Feedback and Guidance, and HUMMS students’ perception Peer Interaction and Collaboration. Whereas, Student-respondents whose parent's average monthly income is within 10,000-15,000 are better perceivers of Writing Skill Development, Teacher Feedback & Guidance, and Peer Interaction & Collaboration; 4) Senior high school students in Sulu who perceived formative assessment as improving English writing skills as Agree or with High Extent are very similar; In ESL writing, this approach states that students learn from their own experiences, others, and their surroundings.

Study Analysis of the Role of High-Calorie Food (Junk Food) on the Incident of Adolescent Obesity: A Community-Based Observational Study of Senior High School Adolescents in Tangerang Regency, Indonesia

Adolescent obesity is an increasingly worrying global health problem. Consuming high-calorie foods (junk food) is thought to be one of the main risk factors. This study aims to analyze the role of high-calorie foods on the incidence of obesity in senior high school adolescents in Tangerang Regency, Indonesia. This community-based observational research involved 350 randomly selected senior high school students in Tangerang Regency. Data were collected through food questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical examinations. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression to identify the association between junk food consumption and obesity, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. The results showed that consumption of high-calorie foods was significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity in adolescents (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.65-4.98). Adolescents who frequently consume junk food have a 2.87 times higher risk of becoming obese than those who rarely consume it. Apart from that, a positive relationship was also found between the frequency of consumption of junk food body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Consumption of high-calorie foods has a significant role in increasing the risk of obesity in senior high school adolescents in Tangerang Regency. Comprehensive nutritional and public health interventions are needed to reduce junk food consumption and promote healthy eating patterns to prevent obesity in adolescents.

Investigating Awareness of Guidance Services among Students in Selected Senior High Schools in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Investigating Awareness of Guidance Services among Students in Selected Senior High Schools in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Analysis of Students’ Climate Change Learning Using the Affective Domain of Learning

Objective: To assess the influence of affective actions on senior high school students' perceptions and behaviors regarding climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, and policy support; and provide insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers on integrating affective learning strategies into climate change education to promote long-term engagement and action. Theoretical framework: This study is anchored on the Affective Domain of Learning by Krathwohl, Bloom, and Masia (1964). Method: This study utilizes a descriptive design using a survey instrument that was implemented to the selected Senior High School students in Region 11 and 12, Philippines. Results and conclusion: The gathered data suggest that senior high school students have a strong grasp of climate change, particularly emphasizing the affective aspect of learning. Implications of the research: The implication of this research is that senior high school students possess a strong understanding of climate change's affective aspects, suggesting the effectiveness of educational efforts in engaging students on this topic. Addressing the identified weak correlation between valuing and characterization could enhance climate change education by providing clearer guidance on integrating personal values with the development of individual philosophies, ultimately fostering comprehensive awareness and action among students.

Practices and challenges of counselling in selected senior high schools in Accra, Ghana

Schools have been identified as important settings for promoting adolescent mental health and well-being. Little is known about counselling practices in Ghanaian senior high schools (SHSs). This study explored counselling practices in 11 SHSs in Ghana’s capital, Accra. We used convenience sampling methods to select 15 school counsellors and interviewed them about access to and utilisation of counselling in SHSs. We also explored common presenting concerns and service challenges. Data were analysed thematically and showed that most of the counsellors had a master’s or doctoral degree in guidance and counselling. According to our participants, students access counselling to address school (academic and career), home (e.g. parents’ problems and livelihood issues) and peer relations concerns. Other students access counselling for emotional (including suicidal ideations and self-harm), drug use and conduct issues. Counsellors provide academic advice, career guidance, financial and emotional support. Findings revealed that counsellors are facing several challenges including role conflict, work overload, deficient resources, as well as negative perceptions of counselling. Findings have implications for the government, policy makers, SHS administrators, school psychologists and counsellors and students.

Knowledge and the Attitude on the Use of Mouthwash among Two Selected Senior High Schools in Kumasi

Knowledge and the Attitude on the Use of Mouthwash among Two Selected Senior High Schools in Kumasi

Comparative analysis of senior high school prospective mathematics teachers and students’ conceptual misunderstanding in algebra

The aim of this study is to compare the performance and conceptual misunderstanding of senior high school prospective mathematics teachers and students in algebra with an intent to statistically find out whether there is a significance difference in students and prospective teachers’ ability to identify and rectify algebraic conceptual misunderstanding. A test consisting of 21 tasks was used for data collection. A sample of 170 consisting of 60 prospective senior high school mathematics teachers from mathematics education department of University of Education Winneba and 110 senior high school students from four selected senior high schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study employed convenience, purposive, and simple random sampling as sampling techniques. The result showed that the overall performance of prospective teachers and students’ performance on the algebra was generally poor. That is, their ability to identify and rectify algebraic conceptual misunderstanding was poor. However, the prospective teachers’ overall performance was comparatively better than the students. The independent <i>t-</i>test conducted between the prospective teachers and students on the test scores gave the results (mean [M]=20.67, standard deviation [SD]=11.98) for students and (M=33.91, SD=14.78) for prospective teachers with t(168)=-6.32, p=0.00 indicating that statistically there is difference between the mean scores of the two groups signifying that the prospective teacher’s ability to identify and rectify algebraic conceptual misunderstanding outperformed the students.

The Social Contract of “Tapat Ko Linis Ko” Among Senior High School Students in the Philippines

On December 23, 1975, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. signed the Presidential Decree No. 856, also known as the “Sanitation Code of the Philippines”, through the Department of Health, aimed to enhance the lives of Filipinos by focusing on public health services essential for the protection and promotion of the health of people. One of its provisions is the launching of the Tapat ko, Linis ko in the streets, translated as “my line, my responsibility" as cited in Chapter 18, Section 83d that states “streets shall be kept clean by occupants or owners of properties lining the streets from the line of the property to the middle of the street and from one property to the other”. This became a social contract among the citizens of the Philippines. Forty-nine years later, this study assessed the awareness towards the social contract of students in engaging in the Tapat ko, Linis ko program. 100 randomly selected senior high school students were the respondents of this study. The researchers used printed survey questionnaires for data gathering. The results revealed that these students were still aware of the Tapat ko, Linis ko and had been actively participating in the said social contract. The results also showed the social contract of the senior high school students in the Tapat ko, Linis ko through practice, engagement, and encouragement. The researchers recommended intensification programs to strengthen the engagement of senior high school students towards Tapat ko, Linis ko in achieving engaged citizenship.

Extensive husbandry and animal welfare are important for acceptance of rabbit meat production among Swedish youth

Global meat production and consumption are increasingly unsustainable. One way to counteract this development is to change the type of meat consumed. Rabbit meat has relatively lower climate impact than many other types of meat, but consumer acceptance is crucial for a socially sustainable production. In this study we examine the acceptance of industrial, extensive and urban rabbit production among Swedish senior high school youth, 17 to 19 yr old. An electronic survey was sent to ten randomly selected senior high school classes with 17 to 19 year-old students. The survey included inquiries about background, scaled responses and open-end questions with the opportunity to comment. A total of 111 students completed the survey, of which 62 were women, 74 from rural areas and 91 with previous animal experience. Extensive production was more accepted than industrial and urban production, while no difference was observed between industrial and urban production. Thus, the results advocate a farming system with more animal movement, less productivity and higher space requirements. In general, male respondents were more accepting of all production systems than women, while no difference could be detected between rural and urban citizens. The scaling shows that animal welfare, local production and meat quality was given priority over climate impact, biodiversity and price. Our study suggests useful prerequisites to consider for the meat industry in general, and for the development of Swedish rabbit production.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with Hepatitis B virus infection among students in two senior high schools in the Krachi Nchumuru district in Ghana-A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThere is paucity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) data among student populations although Ghana is HBV endemic. Screening and identification of factors associated with HBV transmission in schools will support the intervention in the elimination of the virus by 2030. This study assessed the seroprevalence and factors associated with HBV among students in two Senior High Schools in the Krachi Nchumuru District in Ghana.MethodsThrough cross-sectional design and simple random sampling technique, 300 first-year students were enrolled from selected Senior High Schools. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic and exposure factors while rapid test kit was used to detect HBV infections. Chi-square/Fisher exact test and multivariable logistic regression were performed to determine the association between the variables at a 95% confidence interval and 0.05 significant level.ResultsSeroprevalence of HBV was 14% (42/300) among the students. The prevalence was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in males 19.4% (34/175) than females 6.4% (8/125). 77.7% (233/300) were aware of HBV infection. Males who were circumcised were 4 times more likely to be infected with HBV (AOR = 4.09, 95%CI = 1.82–9.19) (p = 0.001) compared with those uncircumcised.ConclusionHBV screening and education on hygienic genital circumcision practices must be prioritized in endemic countries.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSES TOWARDS TEACHER’S IMPLEMENTATION OF TPACK IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AFTER PANDEMIC

Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge TPACK) is the knowledge that should be mastered by the teacher nowadays. The primary objective of this research is to investigate students' perceptions and reactions regarding the integration of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) in a Senior High School setting. The study specifically targets twelfth-grade students enrolled in the Science Class at a selected Senior High School in Pontianak. The participants consist of a cohort of XII-grade students who provided their feedback by responding to a set of 35 statements pertaining to the teacher's utilization of TPACK. The collected data were subjected to analysis using SPSS Statistics 16.0. The findings reveal that the mean score for the teacher's TPACK is 3.57, with scores for Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) at 3.75, instructional objectives content at 3.66, instructional representations and strategies at 3.62, and knowledge of students' understanding at 3.50. Additionally, nearly 100% of the students expressed strong agreement with statements highlighting the teacher's proficient pedagogical knowledge in implementing TPACK within the classroom. Consequently, the data analysis demonstrates a positive response towards the implementation of TPACK, indicating the successful integration of each element of TPACK among the XII Grade MIPA students.

The Acceptability of Generative AI Tools of Selected Senior High School Teachers in Schools Divisions Office-Manila, Philippines

This study focuses on the acceptability of selected Senior High School teachers on the use of generative AI tools, particularly Microsoft Bing Chat. A one-shot case study design was conducted on schools across six (6) districts in Manila Philippines. Both the voluntary response sampling method and Slovin’s formula were used to determine the sample from the population. This study involved 125 senior high school teachers, 54 or 43% of whom were males and 71 or 57% of whom were females from both private and public senior high schools in Manila City. The data were recorded first in an MS Excel program and later transferred to SPSS for analysis and visualization. The research instrument was administered online using Google Forms and then transferred to SPSS for data analysis and statistical treatment. It was revealed that all factors were statistically significant on the acceptability of generative AI tool by senior high school teachers. Furthermore, self-efficacy (SE) has the highest of 0.824 coefficient value followed by the factor perceived ease of use (PE) of 0.812 indicating their influence on Bing Chat behavioural intention of use (BI), leaving attitude (AT) the lowest among five (5) factors with 0.762 coefficient value. This implies that senior high teachers in Manila are much willing to abreast the idea of including generative AI tools in promoting their productivity in the workplace.

Similation (I.D.E.A. SCHEME) to Learning Action Cell in Relation to Mental Health of Selected Senior High School Teachers in Plaridel District, Quezon, Philippines

This study determined the proposed Learning Action Cell Scheme based on Introduction, Development, Engagement, and Assimilation in relation to the mental health of the ten selected Senior High School Teachers in Plaridel District, Division of Quezon. Using a researcher-made questionnaire distributed through Google form, it sought answers to the level of stress the Senior High School Teachers in Plaridel Quezon had the response level in the Learning Action Cell (I.D.E.A. pattern) in terms of effectivity, time management, and behavioral aspects, the acceptance level of the Learning Action Cell proposed topics and the intervention scheme for Learning Action Cell. Descriptive survey research was used. All respondents were suffering from stress attributed to various intrinsic and extrinsic stresses. Most of the respondents had had the same experiences as they underwent in the L.A.C. session. The topics proposed were useful to manage the stress level of the teachers through L.A.C. sessions and strategic leadership of the school heads.