Institute Of Education And Behavioral Sciences Department Of Educational Planning And Management Factors Affecting The Academic Performance Of Female Students: The Case Of Erebt Wereda Secondary Schoolsof Northern Zone In Afar

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess major problems affecting the academic performance of female students in Erebti wereda secondary schools. To this end, descriptive survey design was employed. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. The primary sources included teachers, principals, education officials and female students while the secondary sources were relevant documents and school reports. A total of 45 respondents were included in this study. Availability sampling was employed to select schools, purposive sampling and stratified random. techniques were employed to select respondents included in the study. Data collection tools were questionnaires, interviews and observations. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis were employed in order to reach at results. The data analysis led to the following major findings. It was revealed that parent’s low economic status, lack of adequate role model female teachers and early marriage were among the most influential factors on girlsˈ academic performance. Based on the findings, it was safely concluded that factors the academic performance of girls in Erebti woreda secondary school was lower than that of male. Therefore, the researcher recommends that afar Region Education Bureau is advised to provide laboratory technician, guidance and counseling services, the Bureau is advised to search a means to assign female teachers in the secondary school who can serve as a role model for girls. Erebti woreda education office is advised to organize short term training for secondary school teachers on ways of enhancing girls’ academic performance. Finally, Erebti woreda secondary schools are advised to provide sustained tutorial support for girls, so as to improve their academic performance.