Public Secondary School Students Research Articles

Strategies used by schools to recover the time spent in sports among students in public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya

This study sought to identify the strategies used by schools to recover the time spent in sports among students in public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. Sports as co-curriculum activity in schools have had a significant value on the holistic development of students. This study employed a descriptive research design. Fifteen schools were identified in the study using stratified sampling based on the zones. The sample size comprised 15 principals, 15 games masters, 15 class teachers, and 225 from three students. Data was obtained through structured questionnaires, oral interviews, and primary and secondary sources to ensure the reliability and validity of the study. After the data was collected, it was sorted, cleaned and coded. Subsequently, the data was keyed into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 27) for processing. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised for data analysis. This study established that there were various strategies used by schools to recover the time spent in sports among students in public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. The study concluded that the schools had extra classes to recover time spent in sports and other strategies to recover time spent in sports among public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. The study recommends that policymakers should draw academic calendars that ensure students who engage in sports do not lose much on academic contact hours.

Influence of participation in sports on academic performance among students in public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya

This study sought to examine the influence of sporting activities on academic performance among students in public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. This study employed a descriptive research design. Fifteen schools were identified in the study using stratified sampling based on the zones. The sample size comprised 15 class teachers, 15 games masters, 15 principals and 225 from three students. Data was obtained through structured questionnaires, oral interviews, and primary and secondary sources to ensure the reliability and validity of the study. Twenty-two from three students from two public secondary schools in Buuri Sub-County were used for the pre-test, which was approximately (10%) of the sample size. After the data was collected, it was sorted, cleaned and coded. Subsequently, the data was keyed into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 27) for processing. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised in data analysis. The study established that there was a significant influence of sporting activities on academic performance in public secondary schools. The study concluded that students' involvement in sporting activities had a positive influence on their academic performance among public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. The study recommends that school administrators should invest in games and enlighten students on the benefits of engaging in sports. Moreover, policymakers should look for measures to encourage students to engage in sports to better attendance rates, lower dropout rates, and improve academic performance.

School Determinants Influencing Students’ Retention Rates in Public Secondary Schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homabay County

The issue of retention of students in public secondary schools is a major concern all over the world. The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of students’ retention in secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homa-bay County. The study focused on the family, school, and student factors influencing the retention of students in the secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County. The target population in this study comprised 14,025 respondents comprised of 25 Principals, 250 teachers, 5400 parents and 8350 students. The sample size for this study included 225 respondents; using purposive sampling, the researcher selected all 25 Principals, 75 teachers, and 25 PTA Chairman and using simple random sampling, 100 students. The research instruments included questionnaires for teachers and students and an interview guide for the principals and parents. Qualitative data was analysed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms, whereas quantitative data was analysed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation and inferentially using correlation and linear regression with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23). The findings of the study were presented using tables and charts. From the findings of the study, the regression analysis showed culture and students’ determinants were the only variables with the least number of significant predictors. In addressing the students’ determinates, the main points of focus that ought to have required more attention were ensuring students coped with school rules and avoided discipline issues and guidance, and counselling services must be deployed in the Rachuonyo South sub-county. On the issue of cultural determinants, the civilisation of the society and ensuring that traditions do not interfere with education must be addressed.

TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION PRACTICES AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAKAMEGA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of teachers' professional knowledge application practices on students' academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega North sub-county, Kenya. The study was guided by the Goal setting theory. A descriptive survey research design was utilized. The target population was 772 persons comprising of 723 teachers, 49 principals, and 49 deputy principals from Kakamega North's public secondary schools. A sample size of 232 was obtained using Krejcie and Morgan's Table for determining sample sizes. The researcher then applied proportionate sampling approach to determine the number of respondents in each group. Thus, 217 teachers, 15 principals, and 15 deputy principals were used as respondents. Questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis were utilized in data collection. The reliability coefficient of the instruments was determined using the test-retest technique with Cronbach's alpha statistic being used to calculate its reliability. A reliability value of 0.842 was established which was considered sufficient to get consistent outcomes. The validity of the instruments was determined by the experts in the area of specialization. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square analysis. The qualitative data was processed and presented using quotations according to the study's topics and sub themes. The study established that there is no statistically significant relationship between teacher professional knowledge application appraisal practices and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega North Sub-county, Kenya. The study recommends that a policy is needed to strengthen these variables in order to realize better academic results from students in public secondary schools. The study is hoped to benefit the education stake holders, policy makers and community members in improving the students’ academic performance.

Prevalence of Cyberbullying and Prevention Strategies among Public Secondary School Students

Prevalence of Cyberbullying and Prevention Strategies among Public Secondary School Students

A Descriptive Study of EFL Learners' Attitude towards the English Language at the Secondary School Level

The study highlighted EFL learners' attitudes toward the English language at the secondary school level. The study's main goals were to compare Urdu EFL secondary school students' attitudes and learning approaches toward English in public and private schools. It was a descriptive study. All public and private secondary school pupils were studied. The study employed a standardized questionnaire. Studies employed the above questionnaire, which was reliable. Samples were surveyed.The most common statistical methods—mean score, standard deviation, and t-test—were employed to examine the data. The study found that private secondary school students are more interested in learning and speaking English than public secondary school students—private secondary school students like English. Encourage and motivate pupils to have a positive attitude toward learning English to reduce their hesitation to speak and write English. Language-centred teaching and classroom involvement can improve English speaking and writing. Confidence boosts English learning.

School-Based Violence amongst Students in Private and Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State

The study compared school-based violence amongst students in private and public boarding secondary schools in Bayelsa State. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Two research questions and corresponding hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was all students in the 21 boarding secondary schools (10 public and 11 private) in Bayelsa state. The instrument for data collection was a “School-based Violence in Boarding Schools Questionnaire” (SVBSQ) which was developed by the researchers and validated by experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha formula and a coefficient of 0.75 was obtained which was considered appropriate for the study. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using Z-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that bullying, verbal abuse, corporal punishment, forceful collection of property, sexual violence, general beating and washing of toilets, sweeping the hostel are major forms of school-based violence displayed by students while killing and sexual violence are minor forms of school-based violence displaced by students in private and public boarding secondary schools and that there is no significant difference in the mean responses of students in private and public boarding schools in Bayelsa state . It was recommended amongst others that the school system should employ the services of matrons/warders/boarding house officers, to reduce violence and school management should be encouraged to implement the strategies for controlling students’ aggression in secondary schools in Bayelsa state.

Contribution of Motivating Factors on Academic Performance of Senior Secondary School Students in South- West Nigeria

The paper examined the contribution of motivating factors such as school climate, school physical facilities, school principal’s leadership style, teachers’ influence, school curriculum implementation, instructional materials, classroom environment, peer group influence, and parental support on the academic performance of students. The study adopted descriptive survey type. The population comprises all the senior secondary schools in South West Nigeria. Three states, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti were sampled based on simple random sample and multi-stage random sampling technique. A questionnaire title Motivation and Academic Performance of Students (MAPS) was designed and administered on respondents on factors that could motivate students towards academic performance. 0.85 reliability co-efficient was obtained. Frequency counts, percentage scores, standard deviation and Multi-Regression were used to analyse the data. The hypothesis formulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed that motivation contributed greatly to the academic performance of students. The level of motivation of students was moderate during the period under review. The result further revealed that a combination of motivating factors such as school climate, school physical facilities, school principals leadership style, teachers’ influence, school curriculum implementation, instructional materials, classroom environment, peer group influence, and parental support were significantly related to the academic performance of senior secondary school students. The use of multiple regression indicates that classroom environment is the highest predictor of the academic performance of students while school climate is the least predictor. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that students in public secondary schools should be adequately motivated through an enabling school climate, adequate physical facilities, good principal leadership styles, positive teaches’ influence and cordial interaction with students, proper implementation of the school curriculum, good classroom environment, positive peer group influence and adequate parental support.

Utilization of School Library and Students’ Academic Achievement in Abuja Federal Capita Territory

This study was conducted to determine the influence of school library utilization on the performance of secondary school student in Abuja FCT. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was all 16362 students in public secondary schools in Abuja Metropolis. A sample of 579 students was selected to take part in the study using simple random sampling technique. An instrument entitled “Utilization of School Library and Students’ Academic Achievement Questionnaire (USLSAAQ)” was used in collecting data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts and test re-test reliability was conducted for the instrument. A reliability coefficient of .81 was obtained for the instrument using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collected for the study were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and independent t-test to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study indicated that there is a significant influence of library utilization on academic achievement of students in Abuja Metropolis. It was recommended among others that government should provide all secondary schools in Abuja metropolis with modern and functional libraries.

Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic On Public Secondary School Students Education in Ekiti State

The study assessed the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Public Secondary School Students’ Education in Ekiti State.The study adopted a descriptive research design of the survey type. The population was 11,245 students of Ekiti State Public Secondary Schools. A total of 120 students was purposively selected from 3 public secondary schools. A questionnaire titled Impact of Covid-19 on Education of Secondary School Students was used for the study. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using test re-test method. Copies of the instrument were administered on 20 respondents who were not among sample for the study on two occasions with an interval of two weeks. The reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained which was high enough for the study. Data collected were tested descriptively. The result showed that the extent of impact of Covid-19 on educational system of students in Ekiti-State was moderate. The finding also revealed that the level of student’s education during Covid -19 in Ekiti State was high. The study therefore recommended that teachers should be encouraged to utilize social media network for teaching so as to avoid students’ idleness. Students should be more intimated with the use of social network for learning at available opportunity.

Effects of Inquiry and Discussion Methods on Secondary School Biology Students’ Achievement and Attitudes in Delta Central Senatorial District

This study investigated the effects of inquiry and discussion methods on secondary school Biology students’ achievement and attitudes in Delta Central Senatorial District. The study adopted pre-test post-test control group quasi-experimental design. The population of the study consisted of 17,790 senior secondary school one (SS1) Biology students in public secondary schools in Delta Central Senatorial District. A sample size of 418 SS1 Biology students in 9 public mixed secondary schools was used for the study. The instruments used for collection of data were: Biology Achievement Test (BAT) and Biology Student Attitude Scale (BSAS). The reliability of BAT and BSAS were established using Kuder-Richardson Formula 21 and Cronbach Alpha which yielded 0.77 and 0.78 reliability coefficient respectively. The data collected using BAT and BSAS were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that there was significant difference in the mean achievement scores of secondary school Biology students taught with inquiry and discussion methods, in favour of discussion method; there was no significant difference in the mean attitude scores of secondary school Biology students taught with inquiry and discussion methods. It was concluded that inquiry, discussion and lecture method of teaching enhance secondary Biology students’ achievement but at varying degree; and inquiry and discussion methods of teaching improve secondary school Biology students’ attitudes more than lecture method of teaching. However, discussion method of teaching has more effect compared to inquiry and lecture method of teaching. Based on these findings, recommendations were made.

The Students' Caring Attitude Toward Marine Environment through Integrated Natural Science Learning in SMP Negeri Tanjungpinang

Various marine environment damages were caused by a lack of marine environmental care attitude. This attitude must be instilled from an early age. This study aimed to find out how marine environmental care attitude of students of public junior high schools in Tanjungpinang City through integrated science learning. This research was a quantitative descriptive research in the form of a survey. This research involved 572 public secondary school students in Tanjungpinang City out of a total of 7,974 stundents who were determined using stratified random sampling. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire. Questions on the questionnaire were based on 4 main indicators which were based on 7 ocean literacy principles and literature review on environtmental care attitude. Data were analyzed descriptively quantitatively using a Likert Scale. The results showed that students' knowledge of the sea was in the good category. Students' attitudes in preserving marine environment and preventing marine environmental damages were in the good category and the contribution of integrated science learning in shaping these attitudes was also in the good category. The students’ attitudes in repairing marine environment damages was in the bad category and the contribution of integrated science learning to this attitude was in the very bad category. This did not indicate the low quality of integrated science learning. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was impossible for integrated science learning to be carried out in the marine environment by involving students in activities to repair marine environment damages because of physical interaction restrictions.

E-cigarette use by Ontario public elementary school and secondary school students: Has the use among sociodemographic groups changed from 2017 to 2019?

This project examined e-cigarette use among Elementary School (ES) (grades 7 and 8) and Secondary School (SS) (grades 9–12) students in Ontario, Canada, for 2017 and 2019 and relationships with sociodemographic variables and traditional cigarette use. The data came from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey OSDUHS (2017, 2019). Socio-demographics included grade, school performance, sex, race, years in Canada, living arrangements and language spoken at home. E-cigarette use and cigarette smoking were any past year use. For 2017, there are a greater percentage of ES males than females who used e-cigarettes, older students, those living in more than one home and those smoking cigarettes. For SS students a greater percentage for those of older age, higher grades, living in Canada all their lives, using only English language at home, self-identified as white, with lower school performance, those with multiple household living arrangements and who reported smoking traditional cigarettes reported using e-cigarettes. Use was lower among females in 2017 (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.46, 0.86, p = 0.002), but by 2019 use was higher among females, which resulted in a non-significant difference between males and females (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.77, 1.09). Greater use of e-cigarettes was found among students who smoked traditional cigarettes compared to those who did not smoke in both years. Monitoring the trends, patterns and trajectories of use and variables related to use needs to be continued which may help inform the development of further legislative and educational measures.

Utilization of School Library as Determinant of Reading Habit of Senior Secondary School Students in Abuja Metropolis

This study was conducted to determine the utilization of school library as determinant of reading habit of senior secondary school students in Abuja Metropolis. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was all 16362 students in public secondary schools in Abuja Metropolis. A sample of 579 students was selected to take part in the study using simple random sampling technique. An instrument entitled “Utilization of Public School Library as determinants of reading habits questionnaire (UPSLDRQ)” was used in collecting data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts and test re-test reliability was conducted for the instrument. A reliability coefficient of .83 was obtained for the instrument using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collected for the study were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and independent t-test to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study indicated that there is a significant influence of library utilization on the reading habit of students. It was recommended among others that government should provide all secondary schools in Abuja metropolis with modern and functional libraries.

Assessment of Social Media Exposure and Substance Abuse among Adolescent Secondary School Students in Delta State, Nigeria

This study explored the relationship between social media exposure and substance abuse among adolescent secondary school students in Delta State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted correlational method of ex-post facto research design. The target population of this study comprises of all public secondary school (2) students in the 25 local government areas of Delta State with a sample size of 500 students from the three Senatorial District in Delta State. This sample represents 10% of the population, drawn through the multi-stage procedure and stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was an adopted questionnaire, which include social media scale (SMS) developed by Osharive (2015) and Drug abuse scale (DAS) developed by Aleke (2013). The instrument had a reliability coefficient of .78 and .69 for social media scale and drug abuse scale respectively. Correlation was used to answer research questions while the two hypotheses were tested using regression model statistics at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between social media and substance abuse among adolescent students, and also school type has a significant moderating impact in the relationship between social media and substance abuse among adolescent’s students in secondary schools in Delta State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that social media correlated with substance abuse among adolescent’s secondary school students; while it was recommended that parents, educators and members of the community should monitor and guide the students on appropriate use of social media in order to reduce its effect on substance abuse by adolescent students.

Effects of Audio-Visual Media on Academic Achievement of Senior Secondary Schools Islamic Studies Students in Kwara State, Nigeria

The Nigeria government provide audio visual media for their teachers for the effective teaching and learning process of the all subjects. Academic achievement is the performance of students in the subjects they study in the school. This determines the pupils’ status in the class. This gives children an opportunity to develop their talents, improve their grades and prepare for future academic challenges. The above fact calls for investigation on the effects of audio-visual media on academic achievement of senior secondary schools’ Islamic Studies students in Kwara State, Nigeria. This study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. the specific research design used was pretest and posttest, non-equivalent control group design. The population for this study was one hundred and fifty-seven (157) Islamic studies students in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple randomly sampling technique was using to select 50 SS II Islamic Studies students in senior secondary school in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria. This study also used 25 students for experimental group and 25 students for control group. Questionnaire was used for data analysis. Hypotheses were tested using t-test statistical package at an alpha level of 0.05. The finding of the study revealed that there was a significant difference in the academic achievement of private and public senior secondary school students taught Islamic studies using audio-visual media and those taught using chart. The result also revealed that there was no significant difference in academic achievement of male and female students taught Islamic studies using audio-visual media and those taught using chart. Also, there was no significant difference in academic achievement of rural and urban senior secondary school students taught Islamic studies using audio-visual media and those taught using chart This study concluded that audio-visual media has a significant effect on academic achievement of senior secondary school Islamic Studies students. The study recommended that infrastructure of the schools should be designed in such a way that of audio-visual aids could be used successfully.

Some Correlates of Substance Use among Public Secondary School Students in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study investigated the variables (Family relationship, Family structure and Family socio-economic status) associated with substance use among public school students in Lagos state Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive survey design to elicit information from the students. Three hundred and forty-eight adolescents randomly selected from three secondary schools participated in the study. The ages of the participants ranged from 12 to 18 (Mean = 15.85 years). Standardized instruments were used to measure the independent and dependent variables. Results from the study show that two of the independent variables (Family relationship and Family structure) had significant correlation with substance use of these participants, whereas, family socio-economic status did not show correlation with substance use. Again, the results from the study show that the independent variables jointly contributed to substance use among the adolescents (a multiple correlation square (R 2) of 0.362). This implies that 36.2% of the total variance in substance use of the participants is accounted for by the combination of the three independent variables. Recommendations for the study among others, include the need to forge strong relationship between parents and their children irrespective of the family structure. Also operating open and flexible family relationship that encourages a feeling of being integral parts of the family should be encouraged.

Effects of Computer Game-Based Teaching Strategy on Junior Secondary Schools Computer Studies Students’ Retention Abilities and Gender in Rivers State

The study investigated the effects of computer game-based teaching strategy on Computer Studies students’ retention abilities and gender in junior secondary schools. Two research questions guided the study while three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at .05 level of significance. The quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study. A total of 2,162 students of public junior secondary schools in Ogba Education Zone made up the population of the study. 380 students from 4 intact classes were sampled using the census sampling technique. A structured 30-item validated Computer Studies Retention Test (CSRT) was used for data collection. Three experts validated the instrument and an overall reliability index of .73 was obtained using Kuder-Richardson20. Data related to the research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) statistics was used to test the null hypotheses. The finding revealed that students taught Computer Studies using game-based teaching strategy have higher retention ability scores than those taught with the expository method. The study also revealed that female students had higher retention ability scores than the male students taught Computer Studies using computer game-based strategy. This implied that the female students benefited from the use of computer game-based strategy than their male counterparts. It was concluded that using game-based teaching strategy is effective in improving students’ retention abilities in Computer Studies. It was therefore, recommended that Computer Studies teachers should adopt and utilize the computer game-based teaching strategy as a teaching pedagogy in junior secondary schools. This is because, the strategy facilitated the attainment of higher retention abilities in students, among others.

Effects of Self-Efficacy on the Academic Achievement of Biology Students in Secondary Schools in Delta State

This study assessed the effects of self-efficacy on the academic achievement of biology students in secondary schools in Delta State. The study population comprised all biology students in public senior secondary schools in Delta State. The sample was 245 biology students drawn from six (6) schools using stratified random sampling technique. The pre-test post-test control group quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Biology Achievement Test (BAT) and self-efficacy questionnaire were used as instruments for data gathering. The data collected were analysed using the mean, standard deviation, and t-test. Findings revealed that, although there is a significant difference between the post-test scores of biology students taught with the self-efficacy strategy and those taught with the lecture method, there is no significant difference between the post-test scores of male and female biology students taught with the self-efficacy strategy. The study concludes that self-efficacy is a major variable that affects the academic achievement of biology students in secondary schools in Delta State. The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Education, train teachers to acquire self-efficacy skills to help them teach more effectively, efficiently, and make the teaching-learning process more meaningful in order to improve the academic achievement of biology students, boost students’ confidence in their ability to perform a task efficaciously, and not give up while facing difficulties.

Self-reported Symptoms of Anxiety in a Sample of Public versus Private Secondary School Students in a District in Southwest Nigeria

Few studies have examined the symptoms of anxiety among students in Nigeria. This article describes the prevalence, severity, and gender differences in symptoms of anxiety, as well as factors that engender fear and anxiety among public versus private secondary school students in Nigeria. A convenience sample of 502 students from three private and five public secondary schools in southwest Nigeria completed a questionnaire and anxiety scale in the classroom. Findings show that symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 104, 20.7%) and fear of physical injury (n = 60, 12%) were the most and least frequently reported, respectively. Similarly, public school students were more likely than private school students to report symptoms of anxiety. From the qualitative responses, fear and anxiety about the future and academic pressure (n = 27, 24.3%) emerged as the major thing students were really afraid of. More female and public-school students reported being anxious about many things than their male and private school counterparts. Identifying symptoms of anxiety among students is critical to determining educational policies for improving their educational outcomes. Understanding school differences in symptoms of anxiety may help bridge the gap in learning outcomes among students in private and public schools.