THE CONTRIBUTION OF GAMES AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES TOWARDS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN UGANDA: A CASE OF RIGHT TO PLAY-KAMPALA SCHOOLS

Abstract

In Uganda, games and sports have not been optimally utilized to enhance education despite the fact that physical Education time is embedded in the education curriculum. Games and sports are very critical in preventing poor performance in class, reducing absenteeism from school and in general contributing to the future success of the child. Currently, only 30% of the pupils participate in games and sports hence posing a challenge on how to use Games and sports to attain academic achievement while putting special emphasis on Free Education for all. This study investigated the factors affecting Academic Performance in Uganda with focus on Kampala schools from Nakawa Division, Makindye Division and Rubaga Division. The objectives were to find out how packaging of sport, a conducive sport environment and attitude affect academic performance. The field study took a cross sectional survey design and adopted qualitative and quantitative approaches. It drew a sample of 85 respondent’s .Quota and stratified sampling techniques were used to select study locations, local council chairpersons, education officers, and head teachers, inspectors of schools, teachers, parents and guardians. The findings revealed that the way games and sports are packaged had a significant impact on academic performance while a conducive sport and games environment was found to be insignificant yet attitude that was gained through games and sports by the pupils does not affect their academic performance. It was concluded that the way games and sports are packaged is very important in improving the academic performance of a child and interactive out of class sessions are extremely relevant in improving child confidence while attitude maybe reflected in a winning spirit towards other areas in life. The study recommended that elements of academics should be embedded in games and sports to a greater extend to so as to archive more reasonable results. Similarly, teachers should be involved in games and sports so that they transfer the knowledge acquired through games and sports into the classroom setting applying it to normal subjects like science, mathematics, social studies and English.