THE EFFECTS OF TRUANCY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A STUDY OF SELECTED BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF NAMWALA DISTRICT, ZAMBIA.

Abstract

Truancy can cease immediately to pose a problem of academic performance and development of skills for employment. After all, truancy to a large extent is an offshoot of misplaced values. Truancy not only affects the absent learner, but also negatively impacts on the teacher’s ability to teacher effectively. Failure to present classroom instruction in a sequential manner affects the teacher’s ability to plan and present classroom instruction in a logical and organized way. To understand the relationship between truancy among learners and academic achievement, the study aimed to assess truancy and academic performance among learners in selected boarding secondary schools of Namwala district. The study was premised on the following research objectives: to examine the level of truancy among learners, to find out the challenges faced by teachers as a result of truancy among learners and to assess the relationship between truancy and academic performance among learners in selected boarding secondary schools of Namwala District. The study employed a mixed method design. The sample consisted of fifty-five (55) respondents comprised of forty-nine (49) teachers, three (3) Deputy Headteachers and three (3) Headteachers from three selected boarding secondary schools in Namwala District. From the key findings, it was established that truancy levels were high in the selected schools under study. Furthermore, the study found out that teachers faced challenges in the face of truancy in various ways such as poor curriculum coverage, challenges on executing lesson plans, poor understanding of subject contents and challenges in fostering a culture of discipline. Lastly, the findings of the study revealed that truancy and academic performance were critically related. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that the learners be enlightened on the importance of school learning and proper use of time in school and at home by their teachers, parents and stakeholders. Further recommendation was made to school Headteachers and teachers to ensure an encouraging, friendly and facilitated environment inside the school for their students to reduce their truant behavior.