Abstract

This mixed methods study investigated the role of peer group influence on the academic performance of girls in girls’ boarding secondary schools in Zomba district, Malawi. Peer group plays a large role in the social, emotional and academic development of students. Understanding the prospects and challenges of peer groups is crucial for the productivity of educational processes and the organizational design of school systems in order to improve students’ academic performance. Unlike other studies on peer group effect, this study looked at the role of peer influence on academic performance of girls in boarding secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a sample size of 90 respondents, consisting of 80 secondary school girls and their 10 teacher mentors. Results of the study reveal that peer group members who score good marks have a positive influence on girl student academic performance. The findings also show that amount of money respondents spent per month had a positive influence on their academic performance of the girls. Furthermore, the findings reveal that students who were counseled relatively less performed better academically. The study recommends that Ministry of Education should provide trained counselors in all schools to provide preventive counseling to help modify behavior of students whose performance has been negatively influenced by their peers. Secondly, informative programs that could educate students about peer group influence should be introduced.

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School	: School of Education
Issued Date	: 2023

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