Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between pupils' self-concepts and their performance on the Botswana Primary School-leaving Examinations. Pupils with high self-concepts scored significantly better than pupils with low self-concepts in their over-all performance as well as in the subject matter examined, namely, Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies. The sample included 2559 (1517 girls and 1042 boys) pupils of standard seven drawn from a stratified random sample of 51 schools across Botswana. Their ages ranged from 12 to 14 yr., with a mean of 13.9 yr. Self-concept was measured by Self-appraisal Scale and their academic performance was based on the scores obtained in the final national examinations.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bohrnstedt

G. W.

Felson

R. B.

Explaining the relations among children's actual and perceived performances and self-esteem, a comparison of several causal models. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1983, 45, 43–56.

Curtis

C. K.

Shaver

Improving slow learners' self-esteem in secondary school social studies classes. Journal of Educational Research, 1981, 74, 217–223.

Davidson

H. H.

Greenberg

J. W.

School achievers from a deprived background. Project No. 2805, City College, New York, 1967.

Gaber

L. B.

Structural dimensions in aged self-concept: a Tennessee self-concept scale. British Journal of Psychology, 1984, 75, 207–212.

Heyneman

S. P.

Why impoverished children do well in Uganda schools. Comparative Education, 1979, 15, 175–185.

Lefranois

Children: an introduction to child development. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1973.

Levin

H. M.

Assessing the equalization potential of education. Comparative Education Review, 1984, 28, 11–27.

Maqsud

Relationship of locus of control to self-esteem, academic achievement and prediction of performance among Nigerian secondary school pupils. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1983, 53, 215–221.

Ministry of Education. Progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Education 1977–1982. Gaborone, Botswana: Ministry of Education, 1982.

10.

Ministry of Education. Implementation of recommendations on the supplementary report of the National Commission on Education. Gaborone, Botswana: Ministry of Education, 1983.

11.

Ministry of Education. Primary School-leaving Examinations 1984. Gaborone, Botswana: Ministry of Education, 1984.

12.

Purkey

W. W.

Self-concept and school achievement. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1970.

13.

Reck

U. L.

Self-concept, school and social setting: a comparison of rural Appalachian and urban non-Appalachian sixth grades. Journal of Educational Research, 1980, 74, 49–54.

14.

Skaalvik

E. M.

Academic achievement, self-esteem and valuing of the school, some sex-differences. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1983, 53, 299–306.

15.

Swift

M. A.

Spirack

Alternative teaching strategies: a guide for teachers and psychologists. Champaign, IL: Research Press, 1978.

16.

Winkler

D. R.

The distribution of educational resources in Paraguay: implications for equality of opportunity. Comparative Education Review, 1980, 24, 73–86.

Self-Concept and Academic Achievement in Botswana Primary School-Leaving Examinations

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References