Factors influencing on G.C.E O/L students’ academic directory level: a study based on Garagoda Muslim Maha Vidyalaya

Abstract

One of the fundamental objectives of education is to complete man’s physical, mental, emotional and moral needs which would result in the making of an educated person. In this regard, third world countries are contributing to develop education in various ways. One such development in Sri Lanka is the provision of free education which has resulted in the literacy rate of 93.2% in Sri Lanka. Though Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate, the education level is in regression due to many factors and conditions. Considering this fact, it would be extremely beneficial to conduct a descriptive research on the circumstances surrounding the level of education in the Yatiyantota and Dehiowita area located in the Kegalle district. This study is an investigation on the social, economic and environmental conditions which influences the progress of education and in turn assists in improving the learning-teaching process. The end result of this would be the growth of student’s educational competencies and education environment. A sample selection of 50 students in the Grade 10 and Grade 11 of KG/ Dehi Garagoda Muslim Maha Vidyalaya were selected at random for this study. Questionnaires were given to the sample set and interviews were held with the principal and academic staffs to collect primary data. The main conclusions derived from the data are that parents not being involved in student’s education, students themselves not being interested in their learning, absence of proper management system, financial problems, absence of support from society and unsuitability of learning environment. Some solutions which could address the above mentioned issues would be to increase awareness of the importance of education to both parents and students, introducing a proper educational system which could stimulate student’s learning, providing financial assistance to impoverished students and restructuring the school management for better administration and management of internal office work.