FACTORS INFLUENCING THE COMPLETION OF BASIC EDUCATION PRIMARY LEVEL: A CASE STUDY OF SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MEIKTILA TOWNSHIP MYANMAR

The study examined factors influencing the completion of basic education primary level in Meiktila Township. The research objectives were based on parent related variables, student related variables, school related variables and community related variables that are influence on academic performance in pass grade level of primary students. The study targeted 60 public primary schools: 54 and 6 primary schools from rural areas and urban areas respectively. From those schools, 60 teachers, 507 students and 507 parents were selected by using stratified two stages sampling. The data were collected by using the structured questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative data were coded and analyzed by using ordinal logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis of variance. The study investigated the influence of parent related variables on completion in primary level in Meiktila Township. The findings revealed that, father’s education, father’s health, supporting facilities by parent,and supporting knowledgeable books were more influential than other variables on the three levels of pass grade in rural area. For urban area, mother’s occupation, supporting school facilities by parent and parental encouragement were more influential. The study also investigated the influence of student- related variables on completion in public primary schools in Meiktila Township. The findings revealed that supporting from sibling, interesting in education, school attendance and interesting in study were more influential than other variables in rural area. In addition, birth order in family, interesting in education, interesting in study, parent help in school activities and cultivating in reading habit were more influential in urban area. Out of all the school related variables, gender, age, qualification, position, service and the interaction between these variables were found have impact on the percentage of pass grade level. This study also showed a strong correlation between completion of pass grade level and community-related variables. The variables of school distance, neighborhood educational level and getting advice from friends of parents were more influential than other variables in rural area. For urban area, neighborhood educational level and getting advice from friends of parents were more influential in Meiktila Township