Utilization of Instructional Facilities and Academic Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State

Adanma Ngozi Ohia

doi:10.14738/assrj.62.6081

Abstract

This studied examined the relationship between utilization of instructional facilities and the academic performance of students in public senior secondary schools in Rivers state. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study which has a correlational research design. The numerical strength of the population was 2,350 teachers in 261 senior secondary schools. Using stratified random sampling technique, the sample size was 342 respondents. To collect data, two researcher structured instruments used are “Utilization of Instructional Facilities Questionnaire (UIFQ) and Students’ Academic Performance Scale’’ (SAPS). These instruments were validated by experts and their internal consistencies were established using Cronbach Alpha method yielding reliability index of 0.79 and 0.81 respectively. The research question was answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) while the hypothesis was analysed using z-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study showed a positive relationship between effective utilization of instructional facilities and students’ academic performance. Recommendations include the need for increased utilization of provided instructional facilities in Rivers state public senior secondary schools to enhance teaching-learning process for the ultimate increased academic performance of the students.

Highlights

Instructional facilities in secondary schools are regarded as examples of school plants from educational planning perspective
The main thrust of this study is to ascertain the relationship between proper utilization of laboratory instructional facilities and the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Rivers State, Nigeria
Hypothesis The null hypothesis statement is that there is no significant relationship between instructional facilities utilization in public secondary schools and the students’ academic performance

Summary

Introduction

Instructional facilities in secondary schools are regarded as examples of school plants from educational planning perspective. De-emphasizing theoretical approach and making practical use of instructional facilities in teaching is of great importance as is substantiated by the empirical study in Inyang’s work (2015) in secondary schools in Cross Rivers State. A study by Asiabaka (2008) revealed that proper utilization of quality school instructional facilities generally speaking contributes greatly in improving students’ academic performance; the reverse will definitely be the case as the study by Olaniyan and Isreal (2013) showed that inadequate utilization of school plants affects negatively the academic performance of Nigeria secondary school students in general, and so students in Rivers State are inclusive.

Results

Conclusion