Teaching methodology : one of the factors affecting academic achievement of secondary grade students

Abstract

Numerous factors affect the academic achievement of students as they undergo the transition of proceeding to secondary grades. This article discusses the findings related to factors affecting the academic achievement of secondary grade students from the students’ perspective. A qualitative study was conducted at a secondary school with a sample of students who had experienced a decline in their performance in secondary grades. Respondents were queried with regard to various factors relating to their academic achievement. Issues relating to student motivation were highlighted as the most prominent factors affecting their academic achievement. The findings revealed that students’ lack of motivation was the consequence of unvaried and ineffective methodologies adopted by most teachers in delivering the lessons.