Factors influencing the teaching and learning of agriculture in public primary schools in Bukabooli sub-county, Mayuge district, Uganda

Abstract

The study of Agriculture in education contributed significantly in political, social and economic realms of development. Academic shill development of Agriculture in most primary schools in Bukabooli Sub-County was challenged by factors including inadequate learning resources, the discipline of the pupils, improper approach to teaching, poor mastery of the content, overloading of teachers, denial of field trips and strikes. Effective and proper supervision and curriculum implementation played a significant role in the manner under which Agricultural concepts are performed. The major objective of this research was finding out the Factors influencing academic performance of pupils‟ in Agriculture in Primary schools in Bukabooli Sub-County. This research was based on a model developed by Mitzel with an aim of advancing the opinion that teaching is a concept with an interplay that employs sets of variables. The study utilized descriptive survey design to analyze and collect data. The target population consisted of 5 Head teachers, 5 Head of departments and 24 Agriculture teachers, one County Education Officer and 203 Agriculture pupils. The researcher used purposive Sampling to collect data from 5 Head teachers and 5 department teachers while the study utilized simple random sampling to collect data from 203 form pupils. A reliability coefficient of 0.7 was an acceptable value for research purposes, hence the researcher considered the instruments reliable for data collection. Findings obtained included inadequate science textbooks (85%) and the study established that improving physical resources by 1 unit would enhances academic performance in Agriculture by 0.362 unit (β1 = 0.362; p >0.05). It was found that enhancing attitude of pupils and teachers influenced learning and teaching of Agriculture by 1 unit enhances academic performance. In conclusion physical resources, attitude of pupils and teachers influence learning and teaching of Agriculture. Furthermore, supervision on learners have a positive and important influence on academic performance in Agriculture. The study recommended that there’s need to implement appropriate policies to ensure adequate physical resources as well as improve supervision of learners. Furthermore, Teaching Service Commission (ESC) should employ teachers to curb the acute shortage and external and internal supervision of curriculum should be intensified in all schools teaching agriculture in the Sub-County. Similarly, seminars for teachers should be intensified to encourage cultivation of positive attitude toward teaching Agriculture in these public schools.