Abstract

This study will be about factors that determine the students' performance in science subjects in secondary schools within makindye division Kampala district. According to Baguma in the new vision of 10th February 2007,pg.l, over all results of science subjects (both "O' and A level) postulate that performance in science subjects continues to be problematic ( doubtful)as compared to the arts despite the government policy to make science compulsory-at O level . Amongst the science subjects the failure rate for physics country wide was 37.3%, biology 47.9% and chemistry 49.8%. Recently in makindye division there has been complaints from all the schools that, there is a problem in performance of science subjects which has made the standard of sciences to decline. Student performance in Uganda certificate of education (UCE), Uganda Advanced certificate of education (UACE) Exams administered by Uganda national examination board continue to decline year by year, particularly in the field of science subjects. This poor performance in science subjects in makindye division does not favour the division itself to move towards developing scientific and technological culture. This makes the researcher wonder as to why there is a declain in performance of science subjects amongst students within secondary schools in makindye division. Thus the researcher is most troubled with the question. What are the determinants of students performance in science subjects in secondary schools of makindye division? Hence in an effort to answer the question above, the researcher is therefore prompted to carry out this research.