Causes of poor performance in poetry among secondary school students in Busia district, Uganda

Abstract

The persistent low achievement in Literature in the UNEB exams is partly due to dismal results in Poetry. This course is taught as part of Literature and examined in Paper 208/1 of the literature in English Exam. Poor results in Literature have punitive implications especially since good grades in the subject are central and crucial in all career fields and further education and training. It is for this reason that this study sought to determine the factors that influence performance in Poetry among secondary school students. The focus was on the nature of poetry, learners' attitudes, teaching/learning resources and teaching methods. These factors have been verified by analyzing data collected using questionnaires. Data was collected from Form three and four students, their English subject teachers and the respective Heads of Languages Departments in the schools that constituted the population of the study. A total of 4 schools were sampled, where an equal number of 10 students were selected in each class per school, a subject teacher and the Head of the Language -Department. The results revealed that the learners' poor attitude towards Poetry, inadequate teaching/ learning resources and poor teaching methods were responsible for the poor performance in Poetry. This is further compounded by the nature of Poetry and a heavy workload for teachers. These results have given insight into the problem. Luckily, practical remedies are possible. These include: encouraging learners to embrace poetry, improving teaching methods and providing adequate teaching/learning materials.