INFLUENCE OF LOWER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF GRADE 8 STUDENTS OF NORTHERN PROVINCE IN NATIONAL LEVEL ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY NEREC IN SRI LANKA

Author Name: 1. Athirathan

Volume/Issue: 04/05

Country: Sri Lanka

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/10.2023-95755276/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT

Assessments related to educational planning and development are essential. The importance of proper assessment is felt today. These are essential for new changes and fixing backlogs. In Sri Lanka, the National Educational Research and Evaluation Center at the Faculty of Education of the University of Colombo conducted national level assessment tests in 2012, 2014 and 2016 to evaluate the academic performance of grade 08 students. In these tests the performance of Northern Province were found to be at a very low level. In this background this study was undertaken with the aim of identifying the reasons for underachievement in the Northern Province. A mixed method study was carried out following a descriptive quantitative research design. 200 students, their parents, 100 teachers and 25 principals were selected from Kilinochchi e, Tunukai, Vavunia North education zones using random sampling method from the target population. The information obtained through questionnaires and interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Explained. It was found that students scored less than 40 marks in math 52, 25%, Science 65% and English 81%, This trend is also observed in performances of GEC O/L Examination, Moderate use of communication devices, Parental indifference, lack of Parent-school involvement, occupation of parent, family income, fewer restrictions found in schools, moderate resource shortage in schools were identified as important factors influencing low achievement. It was found that there is a moderate correlation between household income and private expenditure on education, positive correlation between private expenditure on education and educational attainment, and parents’ educational level and Parent’s involvement also has impact on students’ academic achievement. Teacher student interactions have significant relationship. Further there is lack of teacher students’ interaction, lack of quality inputs for learning, lack of, modern technical equipment, classrooms that cannot use modern communication devices, shortages in computer lab resource and maintenance, these are factors that have a strong impact on learning teaching activities

Key words: NEREC, Achievement test, Northern Province, Low achievement