School Enrichment for Successful Academic Performance and Superior Behavioral Characteristics: The Case of Ambo University Non-Boarding Special Secondary School

Abstract

School enrichment is a key activity to enhance the quality of education. School enrichment activity is conceptualized as the provision of academic facilities that support students’ academic performance. The purpose of this study was to describe behavioral characteristics, academic performance, and school enrichment activities of Ambo University Non-Boarding Special Secondary School students. To this end, quantitative design through descriptive research method was employed. Scale for Rating Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students and Purdue Academic Rating Scale were used to generate data. 100 students (Male = 56, Female = 44) were selected through simple random sampling, 8 teachers were selected by purposive sampling, and 3 school leaders were selected by comprehensive selection. Students’ academic performances and behavioral characteristics were rated by subject teachers and principals. Results showed that leadership characteristic was the leading while creativity characteristic was the least behavior displayed by students. Rating of students’ academic performances revealed that students were excellent in Mathematics, English, and Science whereas strong averages in Social Studies. Mathematics performance (45.42 out of 60) was leading and in none of the subjects students fell under average performance. Enrichment activities at the school were appreciable with availability of 74.1%, but not full-fledged. STEM centers should be functional to enrich students’ learning process.