COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY IN ONDO AND EKITI STATES, BEFORE COVID-19

Abstract

Education is a fundamental process that facilitates human learning, skill development, and knowledge transfer. It plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, improving quality of life, and shaping societies. This study focuses on the performance of secondary school students in Biology and Chemistry in the Nigerian states of Ondo and Ekiti from 2015 to 2018. The research examines the comparative performance of these subjects and explores factors that might contribute to variations. Using an ex-post facto research design, the study analyzed data from the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to determine academic outcomes. The results indicate significant differences in performance between the two subjects and the two states. Students in Ondo state performed better in Biology, while those in Ekiti state excelled in Chemistry. Factors that caused the differences in their performances included access to learning tools, student attitudes, students’ resource availability, students’ interpersonal relationship, students’ regularity to class, parental education, and the learning environment, were discussed. The study suggested that laboratory facilities be improved, teacher should be trained, and class sizes be optimized to enhance student achievement.