A Statistical Study on the Results of Advanced Level Science Students in the Western Province in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The target of this study is to identify factors related to the results of science subjects (except Agricultural science) at the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination in Western Province in 2003. The relevant secondary data were obtained from the Statistics Branch of the Ministry of Education and the Research and Development Branch of the Department of Examination. Analysis was done under two separate sections viz data from schools, which have one teacher for a subject and more than one teacher for a subject. When considered the case where one teacher for a subject, the significantly related factors were identified only for the two subjects, i.e. Chemistry and Biology. The variable, total number of students for a subject is the commonly significant factor for the performance of all subjects irrespective of the number of teachers per subject. Schools, which have more than one teacher for chemistry shows a positive relationship between Chemistry results and school location. However Chemistry results and school location negatively associated for schools which have one teacher for chemistry subject. Furthermore, postgraduate qualification of teachers is positively related factor for Chemistry results of schools, which have one teacher per subject. The variables, number of absent days of teachers and pupil-teacher ratio are other negatively related factors of Biology results of schools, which have one teacher and more than one teacher for Biology subject respectively. In addition, school category is negatively related with results of Biology and Mathematics. Whether the selected school is a national school or not, equipped with library and laboratory facilities are the other considering explanatory variables in this study. These factors do not significantly relate on O.C.R. (AlL) science results. But there are some other factors may be affected for the science results such as tuition facilities and the time spent for studies by pupils. If these factors are treated as explanatory variables, probably they could have been significant for the science results.