Study of Self-esteem and Academic Performance in Life and Earth Sciences among Students in Middle School (Marrakesh, Morocco)
H. Achaq *
Biology and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco, Geosciences and Natural Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra. Morocco and Polydisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Didactic, Education and Training, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Ibn Rochd, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
A. O. T. Ahami
Biology and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
S. Basla
Geosciences and Natural Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra. Morocco and Polydisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Didactic, Education and Training, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Ibn Rochd, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
O. Amahmid
Polydisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Didactic, Education and Training, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Ibn Rochd, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
Y. EL Guamri
Polydisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Didactic, Education and Training, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Ibn Rochd, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
R. Moussaoui
Laboratory for Research in Science and Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.
Y. Rakibi
Polydisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Didactic, Education and Training, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, CRMEF Marrakech-Safi, Ibn Rochd, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
Z. Ouhaz
Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Technology Professions, Marrakesh, Morocco.
S. Chakiri
Scientific Institute, Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and academic performance in Life and Earth Sciences among middle school students in the Marrakesh region of Morocco. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 students aged 12 to 16 years from a rural middle school. Self-esteem was assessed using the 18-item Toulouse Self-Esteem Scale, which measures three dimensions: socio-emotional self-esteem, academic self-esteem and physical self-esteem. Academic performance was determined from students’ average grades in Life and Earth Sciences, using ten out of twenty as the threshold for good performance. The results showed that 71.66% of students had positive self-esteem, whereas 28.33% had negative self-esteem. Good academic performance was observed in 62.50% of students, while 37.50% showed poor academic performance. Students with positive self-esteem were more frequently represented among those with good academic performance, whereas students with negative self-esteem were more frequently represented among those with poor performance. The chi-square analysis indicated a statistically significant association between self-esteem and academic performance. However, the relationship should be interpreted cautiously because the study was limited to one school, used a relatively small sample and followed a cross-sectional design. Overall, the findings suggest that self-esteem is a relevant factor in understanding academic performance in Life and Earth Sciences, alongside other personal, family and school-related factors.
Keywords: Self-esteem, academic performance, Life and Earth Sciences, middle school students, adolescents, socio-emotional self-esteem, academic self-esteem, physical self-esteem, rural education