Poor academic performance of students in agriculture at primary schools in Botswana: Analysis of causes and ways to improve.

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.