Proceedings of The International Virtual Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning
Year: 2020
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/ivcetl.2020.05.165
Academic Performance in Mining Areas: The Case of Selected Junior High Schools in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ghana
Robert Andrews Ghanney ,John Paul Dughan and Joseph Bentil
ABSTRACT:
This study sought out to investigate the influence of illegal mining on academic performance of junior high school pupils in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, a convergent mixed method design was employed. The sample size for the quantitative study was 105, comprising 70 pupils and 35 parents. In the qualitative phase, a sample size of 8 comprising 4 pupils and 4 parents were employed. The researchers used questionnaire and interview guide as the primary tools for collecting data. The questionnaire and interview guide were employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The quantitative data were analysed using the version 22 of the Statistical Product and Service Solution, SPSS whereas the qualitative data were analysed using the thematic approach. Among the findings of the study, it was revealed that, illegal mining activities contributed statistically significantly to pupils’ poor academic performance in Social Studies. The study recommended that the Directorate of the Ghana Education Service at Atwima Kwanwoma District and traditional leaders should be in constant dialogue with members of the communities, especially parents, to appreciate the value of formal education in order to ensure that their children stay in school and study. It was suggested that further research be conducted in other basic schools in the country where illegal mining activities are carried out to give the general overview regarding the influence of illegal mining activities on academic performance of junior high school pupils and to come out with holistic approach in curbing the situation.
Keywords: Mining, Academic Performance, Junior High School, Pupils.