English Language Reading Comprehension of Pakistani HSSC/HSC Level Students: Perceptions and Performance

Abstract

This mixed method research investigation was conducted to determine the differences in reading skills performance between the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) and the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK). Quantitative data were collected through reading comprehension tests, and qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews to achieve the study objective. Sample of this study consisted of 60 students - 30 from each board and English faculty from the selected college. The reading tests were analyzed using SPSS (V.24), and Saldaña's (2013) thematic analysis was used for focus group interviews. The findings indicated that Federal Board (FBISE) students performed better than Karachi Board (BIEK) in reading comprehension tests. Student focus group interviews reveal that students' performance highly depends on the students’ reading interest, prescribed course books reading, and teachers' guidelines. The English language teachers’ focus group interviews conclude that students' performance relies on their urge to seek knowledge and their approach to reading books. The teahers also believe curriculum and assessment procedure at the HSSC/HSC level also play an important role in the learners’ reading performance.