Academic achievement of students in education at under graduate level with reference to some social variables

Abstract

The family is one of the primary groups of society concerned with face to face relationship. A child s earliest education is received in his family. It is here that his basic ideas, ideals as well as many attitudes towards himself and his associates are initiated which determine his later adjustment to school and other out of home situations. The economic status, attitudes and behavioral experiences of parents and family environment, all influence the child s behaviour and attitudes, both directly and indirectly. newlineEducation is an activity or process, which modifies the behavior of a person from instinctive to human behavior (Taneja, 2003, p.9). This definition reveals the innate truth that education aims at discovering aptitudes as well as to progressively prepare man for social activity; because of this, education through which the basic needs (food, shelter and clothing) are provided is necessary for the survival of the society. The general belief is that students who exercise good study habits are likely to excel than those with poor study habits. According to Sharma (2005, p.67) academic performance is a necessary evil because one kind of ability is rewarded economically and socially more than others. This necessitates concern over factors that are commonly linked with academic achievement. There is tremendous pressure on students to earn good grades because academic achievement is assumed to possess predictive value and used to bar the gate or to open between the primary, secondary schools and university, and also between the university and certain social professions. newline