Poor performance in the advanced level geography: a case of four high schools in Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study investigates the causes of high failure rate in Advanced level Geography in four high schools in Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe. A multi-stage procedure was used to sample a total of 4 high schools, 100 high school pupils, 17 teachers, 4 Heads of Departments and 4 Heads for the study. Adopting a qualitative research design and case study approach, this study explores the factors influencing high failure rate in Advanced Level Geography. Four High Schools in Hurungwe district were investigated. In Addition to desk-top review; purposive sampling was used to select key participants from the four high schools. Questionnaires, informal interviews and vital records review were used to collect relevant data. Findings show that shortage of resources, overstretched teachers, admission of mediocre lower 6 pupils and recruitment of under qualified teachers were some of the factors contributing to poor pass rates in the district.