Enhancing Academic Performance in a Rural Private Primary School: Addressing COVID-19 Disruptions and Long-Term Challenges

This study aimed to analyze the trends in academic performance, establish the possible causes of the poor academic performance, and explore and implement some mitigation strategies for 5 years. After observing a sharp decline in the Grade seven national examination pass rate at one rural Private Primary School, the Department of Education committed itself to work in collaboration with the school administrators and teachers to improve the pass rate. Several trips were made to the Primary school to establish rapport, assess their needs, and establish the contributing causes of the sharp decline in the pass rates. In-depth interviews were carried out with key informants. The major factors identified to be contributing to the decline in pass rates were low motivation among both students and teachers. In addition, inadequate resources; particularly educational materials and basic needs for teachers such as water and food were also identified. A strategic plan was formulated with goals projected for the coming 4 years. Regular visits to the school were made by the department of Education at least once every school term. Special training programs were done in the third term of each year in preparation for writing final exams. The teachers and students were incentivized by provision of basic needs such as water and food and other basic commodities. Other motivational promises were made, such as prizes for the best-performing students and teachers. The results were recorded and compared every year. After the first year of implementing the strategies, there was a noticeable change in the academic performance. The pass rates were beginning to rise when COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The overall pass rate dropped from 42 % to 15% during the COVID-19 pandemic era. However, after the COVID-19 Pandemic the intervention strategies continued. Despite experiencing the drastic negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the graph of academic performance rose, there was a sharp rise from 33% in 2022 to 52% in 2023. The study recommends that a detailed longitudinal study be carried out to investigate the impact of other strategies (such as encouraging parental involvement). If these strategies carried out in this study are implemented coupled with other strategies such as parental involvement, this may result in marked improvements in academic performance of the learners and very high pass rates.