The influence of academic motivation on the academic performance of senior secondary grade students (A study based on Tamil medium schools in the Colombo south education zone, in Sri Lanka)

Higher learning outcomes can be achieved by developing a cooperative mindset in the classroom. Academic motivation refers to a student’s intrinsic motivation to engage in learning activities and work hard for academic success. The concept of motivation is generally considered to be a dynamic force that drives human behavior. Students with high motivation have better learning habits and tend to demonstrate interest and perseverance in learning. It is against this background that this study on the influence of academic motivation on the academic performance of senior secondary school students was conducted based on Tamil medium schools in the Colombo South Educational Zone. Major research questions of the study are (1) what is the relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic performance of academic students? (2) What is the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and academic performance? This study was conducted as a quantitative method study following a descriptive survey design based on the research questions such as, what are the school-level motivational factors that have a direct impact on student learning?. What is the relationship between mothers’ educational level and academic performance? What is the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and gender? The study population was students studying in the Senior Secondary Levels (10, 11) in Tamil-medium schools within the Colombo south Educational Zone. 200 students and 50 teachers who taught in the senior secondary grades were selected through stratified random sampling technique, Data was obtained from the teachers and students through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS 20. Data was analyzed descriptive statistically. The main findings of the study are that there is a significant relationship between students’ self-motivation and learning performance; there is a significant direct relationship between controlled motivation and learning performance; there is a significant direct relationship between academic performance and extrinsic motivation; there are gender differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and academic performance; women are more motivated in education than men; and the level of education of mothers acts as a high educational external motivator in students’ academic performance.