Published Paper Details:

The study investigates the relevance of water crises on the academic performance of pupils of selected secondary schools in the east district of Freetown, Calabatown. To achieve this purpose, five research questions guided the study. The study adopted the survey research design. The population comprised Pupils of selected schools, teachers, community members, and SALWACO. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the sample which comprised 100 respondents 25 from each category. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and interview guides. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, while the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found among others, that many out of the 100 respondents contacted, about 85% of respondents stated that, the availability of water had extreme relevance to improving students' performances in schools around the Calabatown-wellington axis and beyond. About 5% stated that it is just relevant while 10% stated that it had been fairly relevant. 98% of the respondents stated a 'Yes' indeed, there had been impacts created by the current water scarcity in the area whilst the other 2% denied this submission to having impacts within the Calabatown periphery. Out of 100 respondents, about 95% respondents had confirmed that there had been challenges faced in tackling the problems while the other 5% stated that, there had not been any challenges. Out of the 100 respondents reached, about 49 of these respondents stated yes, that there had been mechanisms to combat this issue and the other 51% stated that there had not been any mechanism to respond to the challenges faced. Based on the responses above, it could be noticed that 40% of respondents stated the structure had been fairly effective, with lower percentages for other options.