Enhancing Geography Learning Outcomes: The Role of Student Attitudes in Jharkhand's Secondary Schools

Abstract

Geography education is a vital component of secondary school curricula, providing students with essential knowledge about the world. However, the effectiveness of geography education is significantly influenced by students' attitudes and perceptions towards the subject. This study, "Enhancing Geography Learning Outcomes: The Role of Student Attitudes in Jharkhand's Secondary Schools," explores the relationship between students' attitudes and their academic achievement in geography. Using a sample of 300 secondary school students (130 males and 170 females) from Jharkhand, the study investigates variations in attitudes and achievements based on gender, locale, school type, and medium of instruction. Data were collected through questionnaires and achievement tests, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The results indicate that positive attitudes towards geography, especially the perceived relevance of the subject, are strongly correlated with higher achievement scores. Urban students and those from private schools and English-medium instruction performed better compared to their rural, government school, and Hindi-medium counterparts. The study identifies key barriers such as lack of resources, inadequate teacher training, and traditional teaching methods. It suggests strategies for improvement, including incorporating technology, providing more resources, professional development for teachers, and interactive learning methods. These findings can inform educational policies and practices aimed at enhancing geography education in Jharkhand.