The influence of home environment on the academic performance of secondary school girls in Zanzibar

Abstract

This study is concerned with the home factors that affect girls' continued participation in the second level educational system in Zanzibar. It focuses on how variations in household work habits, intellectual stimulation at home and parental expectations and attitudes towards their children impacted on girls' and boys' academic performance. The study was conducted in only one of the two main Islands of Zanzibar Unguja. Four instruments questionnaire, interview, observation and document analysis - were used. A total of145 persons were selected through random and purposive sampling. These included 80 JSS students. 16 teachers. 4 head teachers. 5 MinistlY of Education Officials, and 40 parents. The results indicated that the aspects of home environment examined are contributory factors that affect the academic performance of secondary school girls in Zanzibar. There is evidence of inequitable allocation of resources and values at the household level, which fayour the boys in terms of homework habits, intellectual stimulation, and parental expectations and attitudes.