Perceptions of stakeholders on causes of poor performance in Grade 12 in a province in South Africa

Although a great deal of debate surrounds poor performance in Grade 12 National Examinations, very little research has addressed the factors influencing student performance. This paper gives an overview of causes of poor student performance in Grade 12. Stakeholders' perceptions on causes of poor student performance were gathered through interviews. The study revealed that major causes of poor student performance included lack of resources, lack of discipline and poor morale, problems concerning the implementation of policies, and inadequate parental involvement. (South African Journal of Education: 2002 22(2): 113-118)