Examining Secondary Students Self-Efficacy in Kerala

Abstract

Self-efficacy as an individual’s belief in their capacity to act in the ways which are necessary to reach their goals. The learner who self-efficacy is the belief that individuals can control their behavior in attaining the goals that they set for themselves. Self-efficacy is key to promoting student engagement and learning. In this study the researcher aimed to study the self-efficacy of the higher secondary school students in the state of Kerala, India. The tool for self-efficacy with five dimensions namely self-confidence, emotional adjustment, leadership quality, cooperativeness and goal orientation was developed by the researcher. The study involved in testing the significant difference between/among the gender, group of study and percentage of marks scored by the students. Results of the study in related to gender, the female students were having high self-efficacy than the male. The Science group students have high self-efficacy than the Arts group students. It is also found that the dimensions of self-efficacy used in the study are well correlated among themselves with positive significance at 1% level. The study concluded that a supportive and encouraging teachers, parents and well-wisher of the students will enhance the learning atmosphere which will greatly contribute to students’ self-efficacy and encourage them to set and strive for higher goals and to perform well in the academic performance.