PRINCIPAL FACTORS FOR STUDENTS’ LOW PERFORMANCE IN PHYSICS WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS GIVEN TO CURRICULUM IMPLIMENTATION: THE CASE OF GRADE 9 STUDENTS AT JIJIGA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the principal factors for students’ low performance in physics with a special emphasis given to curriculum implementation: the case of grade 9 students at Jijiga secondary and preparatory and Jijiga shek Abduselam schools, because of limited number of schools in the area the two school were selected. Grade 9 students, physics teachers, department heads and director from both schools have been used for the study. Two data gathering instruments,(questionnaire and interview) were used to gather data for the study. A total of 344 questionnaires were filled by the students, physics teachers, department heads and directors respectively. The text book and the syllabus of grade 9 were used. To meet the purpose of the study descriptive survey design was used for the study. Factors influencing the learning process of physics in the study area were assessed in relation to school administration; teachers; students; curriculum and resource. The findings indicated the problems related to school administration, such as Supervisory practice of the principal, Work relation of teachers with department, Leadership motivation, Parent relation with the school based on students’ performance, Tutorial and remedial classes. Teacher related factors were; not using active learning method, inability to encourage students to ask questions and gives explanations, not using teaching aids, and the insuffiency of Continuous assessment., poor teachers relation with parents’, inadequacy Pre-service teacher training, preparation weekly plan and submission. Students related factors included; not doing class work and home, high absenteeism, poor perception for the subject, not given sufficient time for the subject physics Curriculum related factor included; lack of Simplicity and inadequacy of examples and illustrations in the textbook, lack of explanation and supplementary worked examples, inadequacy of teaching aids and practical activities for each sub units. Resource related factors, compressed of lack of teaching aid material, lack of using school library in regular bases and lack of relevant and updated books in the library. The results of this study demonstrate that in both jigjig Senior Secondary and Shek Abduselam Secondary Schools physics curriculum is fairly but not effectively implemented contents and allocated time given in textbook. To alleviate these problems recommendation were forwarded. The administration bodies have to involve parents to have active participation in learning process. Parents also, have to try to help their students by following their daily activities as much as possible. The teacher also must use teaching aids, give frequent exercises to practice and should show the students how to do practical activities. In order to alleviate the problem of teaching materials; teachers should give more emphasis on local materials to show different activities.