Education

Causes And Solutions To Poor Academic Performance Of Students

Poor academic performance is one of the greatest concerns of parents over their children. And this has shown in poor performance in WAEC result, NECO, JAMB result, etc. If this is not looked into, such child will have to face the effects of poor performance which includes gloomy future, youth that are unemployable, etc.

This is one of the reasons why parents employ home teachers for their children or even change their children’s teachers incessantly in hope that things will change. Although there is an ongoing debate on whether the teachers or parents are the causes of students’ failure.

Of the truth, teachers are not also pleased when their students don’t perform well academically, so also the parents. There is a saying which goes does “the success of a teacher depends on the success of his/her students” Therefore, it is important that parents, teachers, and students should spot the cause(s)of poor academic performance before they take any action to solve the problem.

Top causes of poor academic performance

Poverty

There is a direct link between poverty and academic performance. According to a research, children living below the poverty threshold are 1.3 times as likely as non-poor children to experience learning disabilities and developmental delays. And the findings suggest that the effects of poverty on children’s cognitive development occur early. This shows that there is a relationship between poverty and academic performance.

Poor Health

A child suffering from ill health may not be able to do well academically. For example, children suffering from asthma are prone poor academic person if the ailment is poorly management.

It is the work of the teachers and parents to know how to manage the health of their children so as not to impact their academic performance.

Teachers’ approach to teaching or teaching methodology adopted

The approach teachers use to deliver the subject content to students will determine whether the students will understand or not. When the content is poorly delivered, it will tell on the performance of the students. It is common to see teachers teaching while students are not learning. This calls for re-evaluation by the teachers on his/her approach to teaching.

Poor approach to learning

A student who in a way dislikes his/her teachers may find it difficult to understand the subject taught by such teachers. Moreover, not being attentive in class is another poor approach to learning. And failure to ask questions from your teachers when you are having difficulty to understand a particular topic is a poor approach to learning.

Poor inter-personal relation between teachers and students

Teachers must create an enabling environment where they are accessible by students. Teachers are not to teach only but also to inspire, motivate, show care, and cause their students to learn.

Broken home experience

This is a problem caused by parents to their children. The effect of a broken home on children makes them lose concentration at school and even make them lose interest in learning.

Changing of teachers incessantly

Some schools are fond of changing teachers incessantly and this has its own contribution to poor academic performance by students. Sometimes it takes time for students to adapt to their new teachers, therefore, slowing down the learning process.

When the environment isn’t conducive and stimulating enough for learning

Some of the things that aid learning are a good classroom, good teaching materials, class size, the school environment, etc. If all these are in a poor state, it will tell on the performance of the students.

Extensive reading/preparation for examinations

This is referred to as a fire brigade approach: preparing when the exam is fast approaching. Preparation should be early enough for in-depth/intensive study.

Hyperactive child

Students in this category tend to lose concentration if not properly handled by teachers and parents.

Regularity of the students to the class

Students who miss classes may have challenges performing optimally.

When students are not ready to learn and laziness to study deeply

Recommended: How a student can read and understand effectively

Solutions to poor academic performance

  1. Government should be able to provide supports for students from a poor background like grants, scholarships, etc. This will assist students in this category to remain focus.
  2. Teachers should be student focus rather than being content minded.
  3. Parents should try to live in harmony at least for this sake of their child. This will help them to be psychologically stable.
  4. Qualified teachers should be employed by schools for quality teaching.
  5. Conducive environment for learning should be provided by schools.
  6. Students should be ready to learn, attend class regularly, and be inquisitive in class.
  7. Group reading among students should be encouraged.

Read: Impact of social media on students’ performance in school

Bolarinwa Olajire

A tutor with a demonstrated history of working in the education industry. Skilled in analytical skills. Strong education professional with a M. SC focused in condensed matter. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking on the icon below to ask questions.
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