Gender Effect on Academic Performance of Junior High School Athletes in Ghana: A Case Study of Komenda, Edina, Eguafo and Abirem Municipality in Central Region

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of gender on academic performance among junior high school athletes within the Komenda, Edina, Eguafo and Abirem (K.E.E.A) Municipality of Central Region, Ghana. Fifty percent of all 594 final year students who participated in the 2014 Inter-Schools Games and Athletics Competition in the municipal area were selected as sample using random sampling technique. Secondary data, comprising raw examination scores obtained by selected athletes in core subjects during the 2014 J.H.S. 3 Mock examination, was used. Findings revealed; significant gender difference in mathematics with male athletes performing better than females, no significant gender differences in english, science and social studies, although performance was generally poor, concluding that the effects of sports participation on academic performance may be more detrimental on females than males at that level. It is recommended that; authorities in charge of school sports (Ghana Education Service) should re-evaluate the participation of girls in sports activities within the municipal area to ensure that female athletes do not suffer academically and comparative study involving athletes and non-athletes should be conducted to investigate whether participation in sports accounted for the poor academic performance observed.