Causes of Poor Performance in Physics at “O” Level Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Selected Secondary Schools in Kigandalo Subcounty, Mayuge District

This study investigates the causes of poor performance in physics among students in Kigandalo Sub County, Mayuge District. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research examines the impact of school facilities, teacher qualifications, and student attitudes on academic outcomes in physics. Data was collected from 140 respondents, including physics teachers, head teachers, other administrators, lab technicians, and students, with an 83% response rate. The findings reveal that inadequate school facilities and infrastructure, such as poorly equipped laboratories and classrooms, significantly hinder effective teaching and learning of physics. Additionally, the level of qualification of physics teachers plays a crucial role, with higher-qualified teachers being better able to explain complex concepts and provide targeted interventions. Furthermore, students’ negative attitudes towards physics, often viewing it as a difficult subject, contribute to their poor performance. Intervening factors such as teaching methods, parental involvement, student motivation, peer influence, school management, availability of extracurricular programs, community and environmental factors, access to educational technology, student health and well-being, and government policies also affect the relationship between the identified causes and student performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends improving school facilities, enhancing teacher qualifications through professional development, and implementing strategies to positively change students’ attitudes towards physics. Addressing these issues is essential to improve physics performance and overall educational outcomes in the region. Further research is suggested to explore additional factors and the long-term effects of the proposed interventions. Keywords: Poor performance; Physics; Teacher qualifications; School facilities; Student attitudes