Abstract:
The central objective of the study was to investigate the strategies used by students who attained higher academic performance inward secondary schools. Specifically (i) the study sought to identify strategies used by individual students to attain higher academic achievement than others, (ii) to determine the role of parents in supporting the academic achievement of the student; (iii) to assess the contribution of schools in supporting the student to perform better in academics. The study was done in Kitwe and Katubuka secondary schools in Kigoma Municipality. Interview and questionnaire methods were used in data collection. This study employed a qualitative method approach and in research design a case study research design has been used as it allows the researcher going into depth and thorough investigations of the problem. A sample size of 37 of participants was obtained.
This study found that students used the following strategies to attain high academic performance: personal discipline in study, commitment to attend classes and time consciousness, participation in group discussions and attending tuition to pass their examinations. The strategies were backed by student’s internal motivation and determination to pass examinations. Parents had a great role in the academic achievements of students. Parents supported students through the material, moral and academic involvement also created a supportive learning environment at home by exempting children from farm works and domestic activities to concentrate in studies.
In conclusion, the higher performance of students was the result of the combination of individual student determinations to study, parental involvement, and teachers’ commitments to teaching. This study recommends the following should be done, teachers’ commitment and aspirations to teach, parents’ motivation to their children, and government’s insurance in learning and teaching process should be considered to improve performance inwards secondary schools.
