THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MORAL DECADENCE ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ESTIE WOREDA,

Abstract

This study has attempted to assess the causes and effects of moral decadence on secondary and preparatory students in the case of secondary and preparatory schools in Estie woreda, south Gondar Zone. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used in this study to collect the required data. The research design that was used for this study was a descriptive study. 153 students were selected using lottery random sampling for quantitative cases where as interview and focus group discussion participants were selected using purposive sampling,, were employed to sect the samples. The collected data was also analyzed by both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The qualitative data was interpreted thematically, while the quantitative data was interpreted quantitatively using ratios and percentiles. The study finds that the level of moral decadence in Estie woreda Secondary and preparatory School is high. Exam malpractice by students, drug and substance abuse by students, occultism practiced by students, bullying of juniors by seniors, truancy, and involvement of students in illicit sexual activities were common forms of moral decadence in the schools. The result of the study showed that the careless attitude of parents, peer influence, watching immoral films, and an unregulated media landscape where media content is not censored were causes of students' moral decadence. The prevalence of moral decadence among secondary school students should not be overlooked because moral decadence among students could lead to students being traumatized, low academic performance, school dropouts, and a reduction in the literate population. The establishment of rules and regulations by head teachers; involvement of teachers and students in making rules and regulations; parental supervision and school counseling; school authorities' being of good morals and moral leadership; and education were the measures for curbing moral decadence among senior high school students.