The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Motivation towards Secondary School Education in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper assessed the effect of COVID-19 on education, specifically looking at the pandemic and the education dynamics in Government Secondary School (GSS) Dundaye, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The study employed a mixed-method research design. A sample of 258 respondents (students) was drawn for the quantitative method. A probability sampling technique using a simple random technique was employed to sample students, while 12 participants (teachers) were interviewed to gather qualitative data and such teachers were sampled using a purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and interview guides were used in generating data for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, and content analysis was used to generate, analyze, and integrate the important themes from the qualitative data. The COVID-19 epidemic had no beneficial effects on GSS Dundaye’s educational system, rather, the negative effects were visibly seen as reflected in students’ academic performance and dropout of formal schooling, and some students had to abandon schooling for marriage. Some students were eager to marry due to fear of being kidnapped. The study recommended that students who got married but had yet to complete secondary education should be recalled and allowed to finish schooling. This can be achieved by liaising with the husband and parents especially counseling them on the importance of education to the girl-child. The study further recommended that female students should be adequately sensitized to the proactive measures the government is taking to ensure students’ safety in all schools.