Availability of scholastic materials and academic performance of students at Multitech Business School, Kampala

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the relationship between availability of scholastic materials (library information materials, lecture handouts and audio-visual materials) and students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions using Multitech Business School as a case. The study was guided by three objectives namely; (i) to examine the relationship between availability of (i) library information materials (ii) lecture handouts and audio-visual materials and students’ academic performance in the side school. A co-relational research design guided the study using both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. A sample of 84 students and 10 academic staff participated in the study. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Pearson’s Linear Correlational Coefficient (r) was used to determine the magnitude and significance of the relationship between variables. The findings revealed a positive relationship between (i) availability of library information materials, (ii) lecture handouts and (iii) audio-visual materials and students’ academic performance in Multitech school. Conclusions were that there was a positive correlation between (i) availability of library information materials, (ii) lecture handouts and (iii) audio-visual materials and students’ academic performance in Multitech school. The researcher made following recommendations: (i) Multitech Business School administrators and managers should equip their library with relevant, up to date books in adequate quantities so that each student can easily access them whenever they need. (ii) Lecturers at Multitech Business School should students’ learning by providing lecture print materials and laying strategies that ensure that students individually utilize them to enhance their academic performance. (ii) Besides having audio-visual materials in place, lecturers at Multitech School should help students learn from these materials by giving assignment from them to ensure that students utilize them for study purposes to enhance their academic performance.