Factors influencing academic performance of pupils in the primary school leaving examination results for agriculture in Botswana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing performance of students in the primary school leaving examinations (PLSE) results for Agriculture in the Botswana. This national study targeted a total of 757 public primary schools in the country whereby a sample of 258 schools was obtained randomly from all primary schools in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD). Out of a total of 416 participants from the 254 schools, 302 (73%) respondents returned the completed questionnaire which were mailed as an email attachment and also hand delivered by the researcher to gather data from teachers. The design of the study was descriptive and used a mixed methodology approach. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data through closed ended items and open-ended questions. Results found that, different factors influence the students’ performance in Agriculture in primary schools. The study also found that majority (59.3%) of the respondents in the study were female, 35.3% were within the age category of 41-50 years old, close to half (49.0%) of the teacher respondents in the study held the position designated as ‘teacher’ which is the entrance position in the teaching cadre in primary schools, majority of whom were in the lower level of positions or category of teaching than higher positions. The study recommended further training to upgrade teachers to a higher level to enhance their opportunities for promotions to higher positions in their teaching.