Teachers’ competencies and students’ academic performance in Geography in selected private and public secondary schools in Wakiso District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish whether there was a relationship between teachers’ competencies and students’ academic performance in Geography. The study was guided by three objectives, to examine the relationship between teachers’ communication ability and students’ academic performance in Geography. To find out the relationship between teachers’ command of the subject matter and students’ academic performance in Geography and to investigate the relationship between teachers’ social support and students’ academic performance in Geography as far as Wakiso district was concerned. A correlational, cross-sectional survey design was used to carry out the study. A sample of 44 respondents was selected to participate in the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaires and interview guide. Frequencies and percentages were used to show the distribution of respondents on different items. Correlation and multiple regression were used to establish the relationships between the variables. Results indicate that there was a PLCC, r = 0.449 between students’ academic performance and communication ability confirming a positive linear correlation between the two variables. Results further indicate that there was a PLCC, r = 0.499 between students’ academic performance and command of subject matter. Results also indicated that there was a PLCC, r = 0.538 between students’ academic performance and social support. The researcher concluded that teachers’ communication ability, subject command and social support had a positive significant influence on students’ academic performance in Geography. The study recommended teachers’ communication abilities should be developed such as accents, clarity, pronunciations to improve academic performance in Geography. Teachers of Geography should also maintain a high degree of geography knowledge through internet search to improve practical areas like photograph interpretation, should also involve in teacher development workshops to improve their Geography knowledge to boost students’ academic performance.