Identification of Determinants of Students' Academic Performance in Flood Affected Areas: With Special Reference to Ratnapura District in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Floods, as a natural disaster that affect most of the Sri Lankans, have undoubtedly the biggest impact on the lives of Sri Lankans. Although floods affect all facets of life economic, social, cultural and environmental.This  study attempts to examine the identification of determinants of Students' Academic Performance in Flood Affected areas. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews conducted with 448 grades 10 and 11 students from four schools of the Rathnapura Education Zone. The students were chosen based on the position they had obtained in class during examinations. The data collected were subjected to chi-square testing, and factors that significantly affect the SAP (Students' Academic Performance) were identified. Then the impact of these factors on the SAP were measured using a logistic model. The researcher chose this area as it was ideal for testing the hypothesis. 78% of students from 87% of households were affected by floods and 92.6% have had a decline in their SAP after being affected by floods. The study further discovered that several other factors, including the employment status of the mother, the time spent on self-studies and the students' athletic performance also had a significant impact on the SAP of the children. According to the model on the SAP of students, a child who is affected by floods has a 45% probability of seeing a decline in SAP. This number goes up to 93%, if the mother of the flood affected student is employed. The study also reveals how some families have taken measures to minimize the effects of floods on the education of their children, as they are affected by floods annually. Among these methods are sending their children to tuition classes and using new technology to counterbalance the loss of printed educational material. It is worth noting that 15% of families have taken steps to digitize the notes and texts of their children. Those who are annually affected by floods are those who live near the river and in adjoining lowlands. Those living in flood prone areas must be moved to lands in other areas. Since the continuous presence of the mother enhances the students' SAP, the research suggests that if the mother is working she should be given the opportunity to leave work early when and if her child is preparing for an important examination. The prosperity and the efficiency of a nation develop only when its human capital develops. Thus, parents must also encourage their children to take part in sports which has a beneficial and positive impact on health as well as education.