JOURNAL OF CURRENT DISCOURSE AND RESEARCH (JCDR)

Influence of School Environment on Students’ Academic Performance in Secondary Schools, Kogi State

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of school environment on Students academic performance in secondary schools in Idah Local Government Area, Kogi State. To do this, the researcher formulated three research questions, and three research hypotheses. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study is made up of the principals and teachers across the twenty-two (22) government secondary schools in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, with total staff strength of 22 principals and three hundred and two teachers (302). The study sample of 200 was used and drawn by means of random sampling techniques. The instrument used for the study was questionnaire moderated based on a modified four points Likert type scale. A Cronbach Alpha method was used to establish reliability after a pilot study, which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.76. The data collected were analyzed using mean, percentage and standard deviation to answer the research questions. While T-test statistical technique was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that; both the principals and teachers agreed on the ways infrastructural facilities, class size and teachers’ personality influence students’ academic performance in secondary schools in the study area. While the result of the three hypotheses revealed that, there is significant difference, hence, the hypotheses were rejected. Based on these, the following recommendations were made; Adequate classroom buildings to be provided in the public senior secondary schools to help promote effective teaching for students improved academic attainment, Government and communities should ensure that students have access to the schools nearest to their areas of residence.