AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND SECONDARY STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED SCIENCE-RELATED SUBJECTS IN YALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA: CURRICULUM IMPLICATION

Abstract

The study focused on after-school activities and secondary students’ academic performance in selected science-related subjects in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria: Curriculum implication. The research design adopted for the study is the survey design and the population of this study comprised all Senior Secondary School One (SSS1) students in selected public Secondary schools in Yala Local Government Area. The population stood at 3,201, with males 1, 501 and 1, 700 females in ten (10) selected Secondary schools in the area. The simple random sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents in the study area thus, (111 males and 119 females). The instruments used for data collection were two questionnaires titled After-School Activities Questionnaire and Student’s Academic Performance Test in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics (ASAQAPTCPM), designed by experts in the chosen field of study, and the reliability was established with spilt-half reliability techniques result showed a high correlation value of 0.87 to 0.89 and this was considered high enough to use the instrument for data collection. The hypotheses formulated to guide the study were tested using the appropriate statistical technique at 0.05 level of significance using simple linear regression analysis and the findings revealed that engagement in playing after school, engagement in homework, and engagement in extra moral classes significantly predict students’ academic performance in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. It was recommended that parents should encourage their children by providing the needed learning materials like textbooks, prompt payment of school fees, school uniforms, and engagement in extra-curricular activities to facilitate playing activities in the learning process, such as sports, drama music, scouting, dance, and various clubs which will promote harmony in learning.