The influence of secondary school environment on students’ academic performance in Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations for students with first grades in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in Lyantonde District

Abstract

This study examined the influence of Secondary School Environment on students‟ academic performance in Uganda Certificate of Education examinations for students with first grade in Primary Leaving Education in Lyantonde District. Specific study objectives included: (i) To determine whether there is any relationship between disciplinary management measures in the four selected secondary schools and students‟ academic performance in the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations in Lyantonde district, (ii) To determine whether there is any relationship between physical facilities of a school and students‟ academic performance in Uganda Certification of Education Examinations, (iii) to determine whether there is any relationship between school‟s academic based rewarding mechanism and students‟ academic performance in Uganda Certificate of Educations examinations. The researcher used a causal comparative research design which was both qualitative and quantitative. The data collected, presented, analyzed and interpreted was both numerical and descriptive. The researcher used documentary review, questionnaires and interview guide instruments and established that there was a significant relationship between disciplinary management measures applied to enforce discipline by a particular school and students‟ academic performance in Uganda Certificate of Education examinations for students with first grades in Primary Leaving Examinations. The study findings further indicated a significant relationship between school physical facilities and the students‟ academic performance. In schools were respondents were proud of the quality of classrooms students‟ academic performance in their Uganda Certificate of Education examinations was high indicating that well-spaced desks in the classroom had positive effects on students‟ academic performance in the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations. The study has further indicated that there was no significant relationship between secondary school‟s academic based rewarding mechanisms and students‟ academic performance in Uganda Certificate of Education examinations. In conclusion, quality of disciplinary management measures and physical facilities play an important role in the improvement of students‟ academic performance.