Influence of School Environment on Academic Performance of Ss2 Biology Students
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
The main objective of the study is to ascertain the influence of school environment on the academic performance of SS2 biology student in Aba North Local government area of Abia state .
The study will specifically aim at the following;
- To find out the extent which school teaching equipment and instructional materials influence student academic achievement.
- To find out the rate to which school Location affect theacademic performance of biology student in secondary school
- To identify the influence of class size on the academic performance of student in secondary school.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Jackson (2009) conducted the study investigating factors contributing to poor performance of grade 12 (COSC) learners in Lesotho. She found that poor academic performance of learners in Lesotho is attributed to various factors including educators. Tracy (2002) argues that poor performance has caused many learners to lose faith in educators. They feel that their educators are prejudiced against them and care very little either about individual learner or their teaching. Much of the problem, according to Calitz, Fulgestad and Lillejord (2002) derives from the treatment the learners receive from educators and unintended consequences of the school organization and practice. According to Jackson (2009), poor performance of COSC learners in Lesotho can be inter alia, attributed to the following: lack of parental involvement, an inappropriate curriculum, poor school management, a non-welcoming school climate and shortage of educational facilities and resources, second language as a medium of instruction, fear of external examinations, inadequate qualified educators, lack of discipline and poor school attendance by both the educators and learners. Akiri and Nkechi (2009) are of the opinion that ineffectiveness of teachers in classroom interaction with the learners could be responsible for the observed poor performance of learners and the widely acclaimed fallen standard of education. Poor academic performance of learners can be linked to poor teachers’ performance in terms of accomplishing the teaching task, negative attitude to work and poor teaching habits which have attributed to poor motivation (Akiri & Nkechi 2009). However, in most schools in Lesotho, ineffective teaching is due to conditions such as lack of resources facilitating teaching and learning. That resulted into negative influence on the instructional quality in schools, translated into poor academic performance, attitude and values. The ways learners learn affect their academic performance Most learners perform below average due to lack of motivation. They are neither motivated to learn nor do they do what they are expected to do. Several researchers have suggested that only motivation directly effects academic achievement; all factors affect achievement only through the effect of motivation (Tucker et al. 2007). However, it is not easy to understand what motivates learners. Numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, which has led to the development of several theories of motivation.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the influence of school environment on academic performance of SS2 biology students.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
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.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
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 questions for this research 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 and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to examine the influence of school environment on academic performance of SS2 biology students.
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 challenges of school environment on student academic performance.
Summary
The present study revealed possible factors responsible for the poor performance shown at selected secondary schools. These included among others: learners, teachers, parents, the management, lack of financial support, lack of equipped libraries, laboratories and Biology textbooks, methods of teaching and assessing Biology. The study also revealed possible strategies suggested by Biology teachers that would bring positive changes in Biology performance in secondary schools. These included team teaching, development of school clusters and resource centres, improvising, devising methods of teaching and assessing learners, giving learners more work, reading the latest discoveries on Biology, in-service training, and remedial lessons.
Conclusion
From the result obtained and the investigation into the influence of school environment on academic achievement of students of secondary schools student in Biology 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.
Recommendations
Finally recommended that academic achievement in biology subject can be attain by provision of relevant text books, new modern science library with computers, installation of regular reading habit by students, the maximum number of students per class should be 40-50, zoological and botanical garden in secondary schools should be made available, government should involve in financing projects that will motivate students learning of biology.
REFERENCE
- Adepoju, A. & Fabiyi, A. (1998) Universal Basic Education in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Retrieved February 18, 2009, from http://uaps2007.princeton.edu~download.aspx?submissionId=7O8
- Akabogu, J. U. & Ajiwoju, J. A. (2015). Effect of gender and school location on secondary school students’ achievement English vocabulary in junior secondary school in Awka South Education zone. Ondo State. International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and literature. (IMPACT: IJRHAL), 3 (6), 1824.
- Akinsanyo Omolade, Ajayi Kassim O. and Salomi Modupe O. (2014) ‘Relative effects of parents’ occupation, qualification and academic motivation of wards on students’ achievement in senior secondary school mathematics in Ogun state. Journal of Education and practice, 5(22), pp 99-105
- Akiri, AA & Nkechi, UM 2009, ‘Teachers effectiveness and student’s academic performance in republic secondary schools in Delta State’, Nigeria, Journal of stud Hom Comm, sci 3(2):107-113.
- Ambrose, D 2008, Cambridge Overseas School Certificate: A survey of 40 years of Lesotho Results … and Comparative High School Performance for the years 2003 -2007, NUL: House of Publication.
- Anyanwu, P.A. (2002).Language Learning. In E. J. Otagburuagu & P. A. Anyanwu (eds). Concepts and Issues in language studies. Owerri: Springfield Pub, 125-148
