E3 Journal of Business Management and Economics

E3 Journal of Business Management and Economics Vol. 2 (1) pp. 028-039, January 2011; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7482

An investigation into the causes of low pass grades in Advanced Level Accounting: A Survey of Bindura Urban Schools

Abstract

The research paper sought to investigate the causes of low pass grades in advanced level accounting in the Bindura urban schools for the period 2006 to 2008. This was a survey of three high schools offering advanced accounting which were studied to determine the trend of results since 2006. The method used to carry out the research was the survey research design. The target population comprised the school headmasters or principals, chairpersons or heads of accounting departments at the school, teachers of accounting, ninety advanced level accounting pupils and thirty parents of the accounting pupils the sample for school headmasters, accounting departmental heads, accounting teachers was the same as the population. This is because of the small size of the population. The sample for the pupils was 60. A random sample was used for selecting pupils. This gave a chance to every pupil within the population to be selected. Different sets of questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. This instrument was used because it is fast in collecting information and researchers were dealing with literate people. An interview guide was used to gather information from Headmasters, departmental Heads, and teachers of Accounting.The researchers findings were that the pupils from the three schools indicated that there are adequate learning materials, in addition to continued and improved class room interaction. Teacher performance failed because the pupils were not well motivated and there was lack of resources. The pupils felt that the causes of low pass grades were as follows :lack of motivation, not following instructions, blaming the teacher, not attending lessons, not taking notes, relying too much on other pupils and not managing time well. The researchers recommended that pupils should be made aware of benefits associated with the accounting course and the general expectation regarding pursuing a career in accounting.

Keywords: Advanced level Accounting. Syllabus. Accounting Teachers. Low Pass Grades.