Study of the Factors Affecting the Quality of Students' Academic Performance in Higher Secondary Schools of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This research focuses on the factors that affect students' academic performance in government higher secondary schools in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. By examining internal and external elements like family, peers, school, and individual factors, the study aims to uncover the complex dynamics influencing student achievement. The paper begins by emphasizing the vital role of education in societal endeavors, especially in the face of globalization and technological changes. Objectives include analyzing the effects of parental education, profession, and socioeconomic status, understanding how socioeconomic status affects performance in English and Urdu, and investigating gender differences in academic achievement. The study's hypotheses suggest no significant differences in the effects of various factors on academic performance. The literature review tackles the challenges of measuring education quality, the influence of learning environments and individual characteristics, and the role of socioeconomic status. Using a quantitative approach with a survey and questionnaire, the research involves 600 participants, employing inferential t-tests and ANOVA for data analysis. The findings reveal that parental education and socioeconomic status significantly impact academic achievement, with parental education having a more substantial influence than occupation. Female students consistently outperform males, underscoring the importance of considering parental education and socioeconomic status when addressing factors influencing academic success.