Using Positive Behavioural Support to Curb Truancy and Improve the Academic Performance of Basic Seven Learners at Public Basic Schools in the Asokore Community of Ghana’s Eastern Region

Abstract

The study explored the effectiveness or otherwise of using Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) to curb the prevalence of truancy and improve the academic performances of learners in Basic Seven Classes at Public Basic Schools in the Asokore Community.  The purposive sampling technique was used to sample seventy-nine (79) learners for the study. The researchers used a combination of observation and teacher-made-test as instruments for the data collection exercise. The data gathered for the study were obtained from researchers’ observations and learners’ test scores. To ascertain any difference between the learners’ pre-test and post-test scores, the data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study concluded that the school attendance of the Basic Seven learners at Public Basic Schools in the Asokore Community improved after the learners had been taken through the interventional activities. Also, the study found an improvement in learners’ academic performances after they had been taken through the intervention activities. In light of its findings, the study recommended that teachers at Public Basic Schools in the Asokore Community should implement mechanisms to identify at-risk learners at the early stage to prevent truancy from degenerating into absenteeism and finally school dropout. Also, class teachers need to pay attention to the needs of individual learners so that the necessary guidance and counselling services can be rendered to deserving learners as early as possible.

Keywords: Truancy, Learner, Academic Performance, Basic School, Intervention, Observation

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/16-1-02

Publication date: January 30th 2025