The Influence of School Variables On the Academic Performance of Senior Secondary Students in Aba Education Zone, Abia State (Published)
The study investigated the influence of school variables on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Aba Education Zone, Abia State. Two research questions were posed and two hypotheses formulated. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of the entire senior secondary two (SS2) students in all the senior secondary schools in nine Local Government Areas in Aba Education Zone in 2021/2022 session. The sample was drawn using multi-stage sampling approach. First, four LGAs were randomly selected from the nine existing LGAs in Aba Education Zone. Secondly, one senior secondary school was randomly selected from each of the four LGAs. Finally, 45 SS2 students from each of the sampled schools were purposively selected for the study. The total sample size was 180 respondents. The instruments for data collection were self-made questionnaire titled “School Variables and Students Academic Performance Questionnaire (SVSAPQ) and Academic Performance Questionnaire (APQ). Reliability coefficient of 0.86 and 0.87 were obtained respectively for SVSAPQ and APQ using Cronbach Alpha Statistics. To achieve the objectives of the study, the research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation and the hypotheses tested at .05 significant levels using independent t-test. The findings revealed that there is a significant influence of school environment and school climate on academic performance among senior secondary school students in Aba Education Zone of Abia State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that good physical school environment and healthy school climate enhance academic performance of students. Based on the conclusion, it was recommended that; Government should ensure that schools are sited in environments that are accessible, secure and large enough to accommodate buildings and all other facilities the learners may require for effective teaching/learning activities. The school administrators and teachers should see that the school climate is toxic-free, friendly, natural and calm enough to get students relaxed for effective academic work. Toxic atmosphere and bullying must be checked and eradicated to facilitate students’ adjustment to school work.
Keywords: Influence, school variables and academic performance