Evaluating the Impact of Peer Influence on Student Behaviour and Academic Performance in A Boarding School: A Case Study of Private Schools in the Northern Region of Botswana
Author(s)
Bogosi Monyamane , Oreeditse M. Keletsositse ,
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of peer influence on students’ behaviour and academic performance. The respondents of the study comprised of 11 students from a private school located in the northern region of Botswana. Random interviews were conducted and the responses were recorded and analysed qualitatively using the Thematic Analysis model. Findings of the study revealed that boarding schools have two main peer groups, which consist of female peer groups, and male peer groups; whose dominance is demonstrated through aggressiveness, coercion and outright force. Findings also indicated that peer group influence has a negative and positive effect in modelling the behaviour of students more especially in a boarding school environment. Moreover, findings also showed that there is a significant relationship between peer influence and academic performance; the type of peer group affiliations one maintains influences this.
Keywords
Peer Influence & Affiliation; Student Behaviour; Academic Performance; Boarding School; Teenagers.
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