Factors Affecting Enrolment And Performance In Physics Among Students In Agago District, Uganda

ABSTRACT

This study was about the factors leading to poor enrolment and performance in Physics subject

among secondary schools in Agago district, Uganda. The study was led by four research objectives which were to examine the influence of students’ performance and enrolment in Physics, to identify influence of teacher - students’ relationship on student’s performances in

Physics, determining the nature of school environment where teaching is practiced and to examine influence of school management system on teaching and learning process in Physics. Important literatures were reviewed on theories and findings that emerged from different authors.

The study involved 10 secondary schools, 10 Physics teachers 10 HODs and 607 students. These

were obtained through simple random sampling. Four academic masters and six heads of department from ten schools were purposely selected. Data collection was done by using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, observations and documentary review. The

findings indicated teaching and learning of Physics was facing challenges such as poor teaching environment, Physics departments were not well-managed, inadequate self-practice and students’ poor background in mathematics which is related to Physics. Therefore the researcher recommends teachers to make assessment on the background of their students in to decide

teaching methods that can help students perform better in mathematics and in this, they will be able to do those other calculations in Physics. Moreover, students should put self-efforts and practice in learning Physics Lastly, the researcher recommends future research on individual factors that affects students’ low enrolment and performance Physics.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CERTIFICATION

DECLARATION I

DEDICATION Ii

AKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENT v

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS viii

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTiON 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1 .1 Background to the study 2

1 .2 Statement of the Problem 7

1.3 Objective of the Study 8

1 .4 Research Questions 8

1 .5 Purpose of the study 9

1 .6 significance of the study 9

1 .7 Scope and Limitation 10

1.8 Assumption of the study 10

1 .9 Theoretical Framework 10

1 .10 Conceptual Framework 13

1.11 Operational Definition of Terms 14

CHAPTER TWO 16

LITERATURE REVIEW 16

2.0 Introduction 16

2.1 Modern trends in teaching physics and teacher characteristics 17

2.2 Enrolment in physics 18

2.3 Performances in physics 19

2.4 Gender differences 20

2.5 Mathematical and spatial abilities 21

2.6 Attitude towards sciences 22

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2.7 Entry behavior.24

2.8 Resources 24

2.9 Summary 25

CHAPTER THREE 26

METHODOLOGY 26

3,0 Introduction 26

3.1 Research design and process 26

3.2 Location of the study 27

3.3 Target population 28

3.4 Sample and sampling procedure 28

3.5 Research instruments 29

3.5.1 Students’ questionnaire 29

3.5.2 Teachers’ questionnaire 30

3.5.3 Physics lesson observation schedule 30

3.5.4 Science HOD Interview schedule 30

3.5.5 Students’ assessment test 30

3.6 Pilot study 31

3.7 Data collection procedure 31

3.8 Data and data analysis 32

3.9 Logical and ethical considerations 32

3.9.1 Logical considerations 32

3.9.2 Ethical considerations 32

CHAPTER FOUR 33

RESEARCH FINDINGS, PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONOF DATA..33

4.0 Introduction 33

4.1 Enrolment in physics 34

4.2 Performance and enrolment in physics 36

4.3 Resources, enrolment and performance 38

4.4 Teaching methodology and performance 40

4.5 Learners’ attitude on enrolment and performance 41

4.6 Mathematical/spatial ability on enrolment and performance 43