Abstract:
The aim of this study was to identify the factors that contribute to the lower
academic performance and drawbacks of the Kinniya Education Zone in
Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka, which has produced lower results over the last four
years in scholarship examination, General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level)
exam and General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) exams. As a result,
this study was conducted. Twenty teachers and five principals in Kinniya Education
Zone were taken as the sample in this study. This study was a survey research and
qualitative approach for collecting data. An interview was used for gathering
opinions about the factors and causes for the drawbacks and lower academic
performance as the research instrument. According to the findings and results,
teachers encounter numerous difficulties in their teaching process and numerous
factors lead to the lower academic performance and drawbacks. These are:
students’ lack of interest, lack of support and commitment from parents, number
of rural schools, deprivation and family background, shortage of teachers and
inequality of basic facilities to rural schools, targeting only fast learners in the
classroom, drug addiction, high in GCE (O/L) and (A/L) to obtain failure percentage.
However, Kinniya Education Zone can be uplifted when a separate unit “Centre for
Education Development” is established in each school. Through this unit, number
of activities such as conducting programs; motivational, awareness, guidance,
counseling, spiritual, workshops, trainings, special projects and funding for
students and parents can be implemented in each school. Moreover, primary
education should be strengthened in each school.
