THE IMPACT OF SCHOLARSHIPS ON GIRLS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: THE CASE OF TWIFO PRASO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, GHANA

Abstract

Earlier researches have looked at factors affecting students’ academic performance. Others established positive relationship between scholarships and beneficiaries’ performance. This research looks at why the academic performance of scholarship beneficiaries of Twifo Praso Senior High School, has not been the best, even when they are provided with basic school going needs to enable them concentrate on studies and perform well, academically. It examines whether the scholarship programmes in Twifo Praso Senior High School directly influence the academic performance of its beneficiaries, ascertains the existence of other extraneous variables that affect the academic performance of the scholarship beneficiaries, and identifies what causes the differences in academic performance of beneficiaries. The research used mixed method approach for data collection and respondents were selected using the convenience, cluster and proportionate stratified sampling, where 50 scholarship beneficiaries were selected. Answers from questions, through semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation data, were used for the data analysis to come up with adequate conclusions with regards to the relationship of scholarship and academic performance of Twifo Praso SHS beneficiaries. This research finds a weak relationship between scholarships and beneficiaries’ academic performance which suggests the possibility of other factors influencing the academic performance of beneficiaries other than scholarship. The study revealed that high “self-efficacy”, “internal locus of control”, intrinsic motivation and “self-regulated learning” increase academic performance of beneficiaries. From the study, it was evident that behavioural and environmental factors such as students trying to memorize notes rather than understanding concepts, some not seeking extra explanations on concepts not understood in class, and others 5 burdened with numerous chores making it difficult for them to have ample study time, also affect the academic performance of beneficiaries negatively. To maximize the effects of the CAMFED-Mastercard and Cocoa Board scholarship programmes on beneficiaries’ academic performance, some recommendations have been suggested to improve performance. This enables a better allocation of resources by scholarship providers and guides the ministry of education, parents, and school administrators to draw tailored programmes to support beneficiaries once enrolled on the programme.