An Assessment of Reading Culture in Relation to Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Misungwi District
Abstract
Description
Reading culture has a significant influence on students’ academic performance. In this
regard, this study was conducted in Misungwi District, Tanzania with the purpose of
finding out how good reading culture in secondary schools influence students’
academic performance. Specifically, the current research has three objectives. The first
objective aimed at finding out the prevailing reading conditions that may affect
academic performance. The second objective was determining the hindrances to
development of reading culture, and the third objective was considering the
respondents’ opinion about reading in relation to students’ academic performance. A
mixed methods research approach was employed and convergent parallel research
design was applied. Thestudyinvolvedatotalof97respondents inthecategories
of:Districteducation officer,heads of school,
teachersandstudentswhowereselectedthroughpurposefulsamplingprocedure and simple
random sampling procedure. Data were collected through questionnaires and
interviews.The results showed that reading culture influences students’ academic
performance to a great extent because school teachers are aware of the factors that can
lead to a good reading. Furthermore, the study revealed the prevailing reading
conditions that may affect academic performance. The factors include: lack of interest
in reading, home environment, social economic status of parents and laziness. The study
recommends that students be provided with conducive environment for reading which
have positive impact on their academic performance.
Keywords
Reading Culture; Academic Performance