Socio-Economic Aspects as a Measuring Tool in Learner Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of socio-economic aspects on learners’ academic performance at a secondary school in Lejweleputswa District, South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed. A sample of twenty-three participants, comprising of the school principal, School Management Team member, School Governing Body chairperson, ten educators and ten learners were interviewed to make meaningful sense of their perceptions on socio-economic aspects affecting learners’ academic performance. Data was collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with the principal, SMT member and SGB chairperson, and open-ended questionnaires with teachers and learners. Data was analyzed using the thematic approach. It was discovered from the data that the socio-economic conditions in the learners’ home background, the school environment, parental support and teacher expectations impacted on learners’ academic performance. Learner’s family background also plays a major role in developing a strong relationship between all the parties involved in learner’s academic life but however, some parents were still not fully supportive of their children’s education. The results of the study indicated that learners’ academic performance improved in circumstances where there is teamwork between educators, SMT, learners, parents and other stakeholders.

Keywords

• poverty
• academic performance
• socio-economic
• school environment