Abstract:
The study sought to determine differences in achievement levels between
high achievers in P1 (Former group A) and P2 (Former group B) in
Mutare urban primary schools. Data was collected through achievement
tests to 5th grade pupils from six schools (three from each location). A
sample size of 179 (P1=89; P2=90) participated in the study. Tests
were administered to 112 girls (P1=56; P2=56) and 67 boys (PI=33;
P2= 34) high achieving pupils who were selected using grade 4 end of
year school examinations. In-depth interviews were conducted with
six teachers two from each school that participated. A t-test for
independent samples was used to determine achievement differences.
The result of this study showed academic achievement was dependent
on school location. There was highly significant difference between high
achievers in P1 and P2 schools at alpha 1%. (t= 11.09 for spelling and
t= 9.62 for mathematics). There are significant differences by gender
in both mathematics and spelling at alpha 0.05 with girls in P1 achieving
higher than boys in P2 schools. (t= 5.86 in mathematics; t= 0.31 in spelling).
