Education is a fundamental component for the development of any society, as it directly influences the economic, social and cultural growth of a country, in this sense, the acquisition of skills by students is a key aspect to guarantee their academic success and their preparation to face the challenges of the world of work.

In the Colombian context, various problems have been identified related to the deficiency in the acquisition of competencies by secondary and secondary students, these difficulties translate into low academic performance, high school dropout rates and a lack of adequate preparation to enter higher education or join the labor market.

This research addressed the factors that affect the deficiency in the acquisition of competencies of secondary and middle school students in Colombia. Using a qualitative research approach, where the sample was composed of 19 educational institutions, distributed in eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, technical and technologist grade students (first two trimesters), higher education institutions (first, second and third semester), for a total of 915 students and 87 teachers, selected through intentional sampling of the various educational institutions.

The findings obtained from this research reveal that several factors play a crucial role in students' academic performance. Among these factors are family aspects, such as the educational level of the parents and support at home; social-emotional factors, including students' motivation and mental health; pedagogical aspects, such as the quality of teaching and the methodologies used by teachers; and educational resources, ranging from school infrastructure to access to appropriate teaching materials. This research not only identified these factors, but also provided a solid foundation for the development of educational strategies that address these shortcomings.

Through this research it was determined that support and stability at home are crucial for students' academic performance, lack of parental support and family instability correlate with lower performance in key competencies, it was also observed that students' motivation to learn and participate in the classroom is a significant factor, Students with low motivation have greater difficulties in acquiring skills.

Keywords: Educational performance, Academic performance, Academic skills, Socio-emotional skills.