The Effects of Poverty on the Academic Performance of Learners in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 21, 281 - 287, 21.10.2025

Esrom Kgatle , Elias Tsakane Ngobeni Percy Sepeng

https://doi.org/10.31458/iejes.1515452

Abstract

The effects of poverty on the academic performance of learners in Limpopo Province, South Africa cannot be ignored. A large number of learners across the province continue to learn under unfortunate circumstances such as poverty. This has proven to be catastrophic and thus, calls for urgent intervention by all stakeholders in an effort to overcome the problem. Previous studies revealed that learners perform poorly in schools for a number of reasons, but almost all of them stem from poverty. In this article, qualitative research approach as well as case study research design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion methods. The population in the study were school principals, teachers and learners from whom the sample was derived. This article hopes to benefit the education sector, learners, and communities as well as to contribute new knowledge. The study followed strict ethical principles to ensure truthfulness, avoidance of errors and to promote the aims and objectives of the research. The results revealed that the government, schools, learners and the communities were not doing enough to eradicate poverty as well as cater for poor performance of learners who came from poor families. The article also revealed other challenges such as corruption and mismanagement of resources which were directed at poverty reduction strategies, such funds did not reach the intended recipients. Finally, the article recommends equal distribution of resources, creation of job opportunities especially in rural areas and monitoring of state resources amongst others.

Keywords

Poverty , learners , education , academic performance

Ethical Statement

Due to the scope and method of the study, ethics committee permission was not required.

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