Detereminants Of Students Academic Performance: Thecase Of Ambo University

Abstract

This study analyzed students’ academic performance in relation to its determinants in public higher education context of Ethiopia with a specific reference to Ambo University with the main objective of identifying the main factors affecting academic performance. The sample consisted of 346 regular undergraduate students who were selected using random sampling method from 2nd year and above students of Ambo University. The data were collected through structured questionnaires. The independent t-tests, Pearson correlation and Tobit model were used as the main technique of data analysis so as to identify factors affecting students’ academic performance. The findings of the study showed that the academic performance of students is significantly affected by gender, university entrance exam result, English language background, students monthly pocket money, daily study hour, and class attendance. However age, parental education, mathematics background knowledge and study habit was found to have no significant impact on the academic performance of undergraduate students. Finally, the study recommends that universities and policy makers need to work hard towards improving students’ academic performance, by considering aforementioned significant determinants of academic performance