Assessing Factors Affecting Female Students Academic Performance at Maraki Campus University of Gondar

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess factors affecting female student’s academic performance at University of Gondar. The main objective of the study was identifying the factors affecting female student’s academic performance at university of Gondar. The study used simple random sampling (lottery method) to select the samples. Both primary and secondary source of data were used to gather reliable data. Mixed types of research approach (quantitative and qualitative) were employed. To achieve the objectives of the study, cross-sectional study types of descriptive study design were employed. The collected data was organized, tabulated, and analyzed using descriptive method of analysis according to their similarities under percentage and frequencies distribution. The study identified factors related to institutional, parental, personal, and instructor related factors. From the findings of the study, among institutional related factors including: nonexistence of full department choice, non-availability of reward to good scorer female students, and shortage of quality supply of food and water were the major problems. Whereas from personal related factors, lack of self-motivation and selfconfidence to achieve good score, absence of class frequently, and affection of night clubs were the major personal related factors affecting female student’s academic performance. From the parental related factors, socioeconomic status of parents and attitude towards academic performance of female students had effect on female student’s academic performance. On the other hand, the instructor related factors including sexual harassment from instructors and lack of tutorial class for female students were the factors that affect female student’s academic performance at the university. Based on the findings, we have recommended some suggestions to improve female student’s academic performance. These include: higher institutions should make affirmative action program for female students like tutorial class and related activities. Higher institutions should give rewards to female students who achieve good score in their academic achievement... Concerning the government and institutions, they should take serious action and decision on night clubs to reduce the problems related to female students’ academic performance, and higher institutions should improve the rules and regulations that prevent male instructors and students from performing sexual harassment activities against female students...