Factors affecting female students’ academic performance at higher education: The case of Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, female students’ participation at all levels of education is increasing at an alarming rate. On the other hand, the numbers of female students who graduate from higher learning institutions are still less as compared with their male counter parts due to different factors. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing major factors affecting the academic performance of female students’ in Bahir Dar University. This case study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches and the data were collected from students, teachers, management bodies, student’s dean and council, and gender office. The result of this study indicated that university related factors such as university academic and administrative rules and regulations, peer pressure, lack of female role model teachers, department choice of students and providing different supportive trainings and tutorial classes by the university impacts female students’ academic performance. In addition, socio-cultural factors such as female students’ background area, educational status of parents, the perception towards their academic performance influencing factor and how these affect the academic achievement of female students. Furthermore, socio-economic factors such as economic status of parents, the expansion of khat (Catha edulis, a green stimulant plant leaf) shops, tourist centers and night clubs around the university affect female students’ academic performance. Therefore, the government, ministry of education and the university should give due attention to promote female students academic achievement. The university should start working with regional government, city administration and community to promote female students academic achievement.

Keywords: Academic performance, factors, female students, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.