Vol. 51 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Indian Education
Articles

Empowering Readers: The Impact of Self-efficacy on Secondary School Students’ Reading Ability

PDF
  • Nishat Yasmin,
  • Jakir Hussain Laskar
Nishat Yasmin
Research Scholar, Department of Education, Aliah University, Kolkata
Jakir Hussain Laskar
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Education, Aliah University, Kolkata

Published 2026-07-15

Keywords

  • Self-efficacy,
  • Reading,
  • Reading Ability,
  • Government-aided School,
  • Secondary School Students

How to Cite

Yasmin, N., & Laskar, J. H. (2026). Empowering Readers: The Impact of Self-efficacy on Secondary School Students’ Reading Ability. JOURNAL OF INDIAN EDUCATION, 51(2), p.176-189. https://ejournals.ncert.gov.in/index.php/jie/article/view/5622

Abstract

Reading is regarded as the most crucial among the four essential competencies of English. This study set out to explore how self-efficacy influences the reading abilities of secondary school students. To gather meaningful insights, the researchers adopted a descriptive survey approach along with a quantitative research design. Data were collected from secondary schools located across four districts in West Bengal. A sample of 501 students was selected using stratified random sampling. To collect data, two standardised tools were employed: (i) the Self-efficacy Scale (SES) developed by Singh and Narain (2005), and (ii) the Silent Reading Ability Test (SRAT) to assess the students’ reading ability. Statistical techniques, such as mean, median, t-test, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and regression, were used for data analysis.

The findings revealed that self-efficacy influences the reading ability of students in government-aided secondary schools. The study has implications for teachers and policymakers and recommends targeted intervention strategies to improve self-efficacy and reading proficiency and promote equity and inclusion among secondary school students.

PDF