Causes and Remedies for Low Academic Performance of Bombo Community Universal Primary Education (UPE) Schools

The main objective of the study was to understand the academic performance of learners at Bombo Community Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools. Specifically, the study explored the causes of the unsatisfactory performance and suggested solutions to uplift the performance standard in Bombo community UPE schools. The study is qualitative and uses a phenomenology design. The study population comprised five UPE schools, five head teachers, five directors of studies, 15 teachers, 10 students, five parents, and four local authiries. They were all purposively selected. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Thematic analysis method used to analyze data. To ensure rigor, Purposive sampling, triangulation of methods and respondents, member checking, and thick description were used to ensure rigor. The findings under school factors are; understaffing, lack of infrastructure, inadequate desks, lack of staff accommodation, and automatic promotion. The findings under home-related factors include; parents and caretakers failing to provide meals and scholastic materials, lack of guidance, and failure to attend meetings. The findings under pupil-related factors include; bad company, negative attitude towards education, language problems, and absenteeism. The study concluded that school, home, and pupil factors contribute to unsatisfactory performance in Bombo community UPE schools. The study recommended strengthening and expanding recruitment efforts for teachers, building and maintaining quality facilities, securing government or private funding, and community involvement in all the activities to support the schools.