Influence of School Environment on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Lagos State
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to ascertain the influence of school environment on the academic performance of secondary school students in Lagos state, however for the successful completion of the study, the following sub-objectives are set out.
- To examine the relationship between school environment and the student academic performance
- To examine the impact of school facilities on the academic performance of students in the secondary school
- To explore factors such as class size that have been perceived to promote or inhibit students learning in the academic process of students in secondary school
- To investigate the extent to which school location affects the academic achievement of secondary school students.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Background of study
When people hear the term “academic performance” they often think of position the student took in his or her terminal result. The issue of poor academic performance of students in Nigeria has been of much concern to the government, parents, teachers and even student themselves. The quality of education not only depends on the teachers as reflected in the performance of their duties, but also in the effective coordination of the school environment (Ajao, 2001). Education is an essential factor for effective development of any country like Nigeria. The western education adopted by Nigeria is highly based on individualism, socio-economic and internationalization which are geared towards national development. According to Ada (2005), one of the major obstacles to the development of secondary schools in Lagos State is the persistent poor academic achievement of students. Based on this fact, people believe that the standard of education is falling in the State and Nigeria in general. Poor academic performance as recorded in recent years was so great that many students fall short of the requirements necessary for admission into primary schools. According to Ajewole and Okebukola (2000), a number of factors are said to have contributed to the students’ poor academic achievement in school. The authors stress that a host of these factors may surround students’ poor achievement in school which may include: poor study habits and lack of available resource materials, poor school climate, indiscipline, inadequate facilities, teachers’ ineffectiveness, the teaching method and the type of learning environment available for both the students and the teachers. From the authors view, the poor performance of students in secondary school may be a reflection of the type of learning environment. Farombi (1998) observed that school environment may have negative influence on students’ academic achievement especially if such environment lacks good school climate, instructional materials, discipline, physical facilities, has poor teacher quality, type of location of school is questionable.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely:-
-Primary source and
-Secondary source
(i) Primary source: These are materials of statistical investigation, which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
(ii) Secondary data: These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as by products of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research question of this study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133 ( one hundred thirty three) questionnaires were distributed to the respondent and 133 questionnaires were which serve as a sample for the research.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to find out the influence of school environment on the academic performance of secondary school students in Lagos state.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the influence of school environment on the academic performance of secondary school student.
Summary
The result of this research question indicated that principals and teachers agreed that school environment and inadequate school health services and fencing affect the academic achievement of students, to a very great extent. However, the opinion of the respondents indicated that the following variables desks, chairs, fencing of the school/security, school health facilities and electricity have great effect on the academic achievement of students. The findings agreed with the opinion of Okafor (2003) Ezen (1995) and Ibiain (2004), that adequate provision of facilities in the school promotes the academic achievement of the students and also ensures the effective teachers performance in teaching and learning activities. It is the opinion of this researcher that the stakeholders in the education industry should emphasize the need for adequate provision of teaching and learning facilities in the schools. This not only encourages students’ academic achievement, but goes a long way in enhancing teachers’ productivity as well as health school academic environment. The respondents are also in agreement that adequate security in the schools will promote the academic achievements of the students. This is because with peace and security, the school environment will be conducive for effective teaching and learning.
Conclusion
From the result obtained and the investigation into the influence of
school environment on academic achievement of students secondary schools in Lagos State, the researcher came up with the following conclusion. Inadequate offices for staff, classroom accommodation for teaching students as well as common room for teachers to a great extent affect the academic achievement of students with regard to building in the schools. The findings also identified seats/desks, current reading material, current books for lending and the presence of library assistants in the schools as critical areas that to a great extent affect the academic achievement of students of public schools with regard to library services. The result indicated that limited access to both the students and teachers to reading material has great the affect academic achievement of students. The findings also revealed that fencing of the school for security will to a great extent help to promote the academic achievement of students.
Recommendation
Haven successfully completed the study; the researcher therefore makes the following recommendation: Adequate classroom buildings to be provided in the public schools to help promote effective teaching for students improved academic achievement. Government and communities to ensure that students have access to the schools nearest to their areas of residence. Efforts should be made by stakeholders to provide schools with functional libraries, well equipped with current reading reference materials. Qualified library assistants to be posted to schools to aid the students on the proper use of the library service Enough security to be provided through fencing of schools to ensure peaceful school academic environment.
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