FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SELECTED GOVERNMENTAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONALNATIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the factors affecting student’s academic achievement in selected Governmental secondary schools of East Hararge Zone, Oromia National Regional State. To address this study, the four basic research questions were posed. 1) what is the level of students’ academic achievement in the study areas?2) What are the factors that significantly influence the students’ academic achievement in secondary schools? What are the correlation between students’ academic achievement and parental involvement, homework, class-size, teacher’s competency and training, and teachers’ experience? What are the contributions of the schools to make the students successful in their academic achievement in the study area?The research was carried out in eight selected secondary schools: Babile, Bisidimo, Badano, Adele, Kulubi, Chalenko, Haramaya, and Burka. 188 students, 112 teachers, 8 members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and 8 principals from secondary schools participated in the study.. , questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis were used for data gathering. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Even though increasing student academic achievement is a top priority, the survey found that no real improvement has been made in the study area. The finding of this study was that these patterns, as well as low academic achievement levels in high schools in the study area, were related to the physical environment and school facilities, instructional facilities and materials, teacher qualification and training, teacher experience, teacher attitude toward their job, parent involvement, and homework. Since decent school facilities, small class sizes, and other suitable resources alone cannot deliver acceptable outcomes, it is necessary to enhance and assess the professional level of instructors in order to address the current issues. Parents, secondary schools’, the East Hararge Zone Education Bureau, and the Oromia Education Bureau were advised to be more realistic in this area of progress.