INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS 

Abstract 

This research study examines the influence of school environment on the student academic performance in secondary schools in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. Factors such as school facilities, class size, school Location and School plant planning were examined to know their effects on the academic achievement of secondary school students.  The population comprised of 100 students taken from five secondary schools in Etsako East local Government Area in Edo State. Data was collected from the students by means of questionnaires. The results were analysed by means of simple percentages. Based on the findings, it was discovered that poor school facilities, large class size, inappropriate school location, and poor school plant planning negatively affects students’ academic performance. Recommendations were made to address the issues of school learning facilities, classroom population, school location and proper school plant planning

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

Statement of Problem

Research Questions

Purpose of the Study

Significance of the study

Delimitation /scope of study

Limitation of Study

CHAPTER TWO: 

Review Of Relation Literature

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

Research design

Population of Study

Sample and Sampling Techniques

Research Instrument

Validity of Instrument

Administration of the Instrument

Method of Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Data presentation and Analysis

Discussion of Results

CHAPTER FIVE:   SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

Conclusion

Recommendation

References

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The The school environment which include the classrooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories, teachers’ quality, school management, teaching methods, peers e.t.c are variables that affect students’ academic achievement (Oluchukwu, 2000). Hence, the school environment remains an important area that should be studied and well managed to enhance students’ academic performance. The Issue of Poor Academic Performance of Students has been of much concern to the government, parents, teachers and even students 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).

School environment which include instructional spaces planning, administrative places planning, circulation spaces planning, spaces for conveniences planning, accessories planning, the teachers as well as the students themselves are essential in teaching-learning process. The extent to which student learning could be enhanced depends on their location within the school compound, the structure of their classroom, availability of instructional facilities and accessories. It is believed that a well planned school will gear up expected outcomes of education that will facilitate good social, political and economic emancipation, effective teaching and learning process and academic performance of the students.

Relating this study to international occurrences is the assertions of Marsden (2005). That safe and orderly classroom environment (aspect of instructional space), school facilities (accessories) were significantly related to students’ academic performance in schools and that a comfortable and caring environment among other treatments helped to contribute to students’ academic performance.

The physical characteristics of the school have a variety of effects on teachers, students and the learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high levels of carbon dioxide in classrooms and inconsistent temperatures make teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation systems lead to poor health among students as well as teachers, which leads to poor performance and higher absentee rates (Frazier, 2002). These factors can adversely affect student behavior and lead to higher levels of frustration among teachers, and poor learning attitude among students.

Beyond the direct effects that poor facilities have on student’s ability to learn, the combination of poor facilities, which create an uncomfortable  and uninviting workplace for teachers, combined with frustrating behavior by students including poor concentration and hyperactivity, lethargy, or apathy, creates a stressful set of working conditions for teachers. Because stress and job dissatisfaction are common pre-cursors to lowered teacher enthusiasm, it is possible that the aforementioned characteristics of school facilities have an effect upon the academic performance of students.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

School environment is an essential aspect of educational planning. Unless schools are well suited, buildings adequately constructed and equipment adequately utilized and maintained, much teaching and learning may not take place.The high levels of students’ academic performance may not be guaranteed where instructional space such as classrooms, libraries, technical workshops and laboratories are structurally defective. However, little is known on the impact of school environment on students’ academic performance in Etsako East Local Government.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to ascertain the effect of school environmental variable on the academic performance of students in Edo state. But for the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following objectives;

i) To ascertain the effect of  school environmental on students’ academic performance

ii) To evaluate the relationship between school location and students’ academic performance

iii) To ascertain the impact of class size on student academic performance

iv) To evaluate the role of school environment in improving the quality of education in Edo state

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H0:Environmental variables do not have any effect on students’ academic performance.

H1:environmental variable do have a significant effects on students’ academic performance.

H02:there is no significant relationship between school location and students’ academic achievement.

H2:there is a significant relationship between school location and student academic achievement

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that this study will provide information for parents, educators and school administrators to reflect upon various factors that help students in achieving their academic goals. In so doing, they can investigate the possibility of introducing those factors to their school, which may consequently lead to enhancing students’ educational outcomes in school.

This study provides a valuable reference for other schools to reflect upon the school environment as it affect the academic performance of student in secondary school.

1.6 DELIMITATION / SCOPE OF STUDY

This research work focuses on the influence of school environment on the academic performance of secondary school students in some selected schools in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The researcher intends to carry out investigation paying particular interest to five secondary schools.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The major limitation to this research was the inability of the researcher to cover the whole secondary schools in Etsako East Local Government of Edo State

a)     AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material      available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.

b)     TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider         coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities        and examinations with the study.

c)     FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not     allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the        researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

School variables: These are school factors that exert either positive or negative influence on students.

Academic performance: Academic performance is the outcome of education — the extent to which students achieved their educational goals. It is commonly measured by examinations or continuous assessment.

School Location: A place where a school is situated, which could be urban area or rural area.

Class Size: This means the number of students in a class which varies considerably from school to school.

1.8ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter.     Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.