Effectiveness of Peer Mentoring Program on Academic Performance of Grade VII Bhutanese Students
Ugyen Dorji *
Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Gaselo Higher Secondary School Wangduephodrang, Bhutan.
Phub Lhamo
Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Gaselo Higher Secondary School Wangduephodrang, Bhutan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study explored the effectiveness of peer mentoring program on academic performance of class VII Bhutanese students. It employed mixed method approach with purposive sampling method. A total of 62 students from grade VII participated in the study. The study found out the mean of the differences (pre-test and post-test) was 5.14 (SD = 3.42) and the paired-samples t-test indicated that this mean of the differences is significantly greater than zero (t = 8.36, p = .00, 95% CI[6.39, 3.88]). This indicated that the peer mentoring program had positive impact on academic performance of students. The peer mentoring program also helped students to enhance their communication skills. However, some mentor students mentioned that it was quite hectic when mentees do not cooperate with them.
It is recommended that peer mentoring program should be carried out in schools to improve students’ academic performance as well as their communication skills. Further, the present study focused on only some students of grade VII, a study may be carried out across schools to get a deep understanding of the subject.
Keywords: Peer-mentoring, academic, performance, mentee, mentor