STUDENTS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF RUBAVU DISTRICT – International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce

STUDENTS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF RUBAVU DISTRICT

Author: Appoline Kabera Bazubagira PhD

ABSTRACT

This research explores students educational background from their early school and its implications on their academic performance, the case of Rubavu District and University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rubavu Campus (UTB) was sampled. Using the theories of constructivism and Life Course, the study examined three identified key factors influencing university education outcomes that are nursery school attendance, family residence either rural or urban and type of secondary school attended either public or private. A sample of 196 students from three departments were used to collect data using desk review and questionnaire. The findings reveal that there is a significance correlation (r = .613, p < .05) between nursery school attendance and university performance. Students who attended nursery schools dominantly demonstrate higher academic success. In the same way, students from family living in urban areas tend to successfully perform better than those from families living in rural areas (r = .780, p < .05). Lastly, students who attended private secondary schools have better academic performance than those from private secondary schools, there is a moderate positive correlation (r = .530, p < .05). Findings highlight the necessity of early education, continuous family and school support in shaping students’ academic trajectories. There is a need to continue promoting nursery school education, bridge the gap between rural and urban education and also improve quality teaching in public secondary schools. Findings underscore that the performance of students at university is continuously prepared from early childhood education engaging family efforts, socioeconomic conditions and supportive educational environment.

Keywords: Nursery school, private/ public secondary school, family residence, University performance

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