Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Physical and Health Education
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine ‘the environmental and teaching of physical Health Education in secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study comprised of all the Mathematics students in junior secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area which was about 4068 in six public schools, 250 students were chosen to be the sample size through random technique. Students’ achievement test in Physical and health education was the major instruments for the study. An Independent t-test was used to calculate the data collected from the students. It was indicated that environmental variables really influenced the teaching of Physical and Health Education in junior secondary school finally, it was recommended among others that stated the government should provide adequate materials resources to urban and rural locations to enhance the teaching of Physical and Health
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Schools are established for the purpose of teaching and learning. It is also more important than the teachers and learners are properly accommodated to facilitate the teaching and learning that go on there. This is the essence of the school plant and facilities (Alimi, 2004). Therefore school facilities are the space interpretation and physical expression of the school curriculum in Nigeria at large and in Akwa Ibom State schools, ownership is expected to function in compliance with the achievement of the nation’s educational objectives. To this end, students are expected to perform brilliantly in the final examination as this determines the quality of output of soc±-, schools. This is one of the parameters used to measure the effectiveness of a school system. The better the performance of the students the more effectiveness of a school system. The better the performance of the students the more effective the system is assumed to be, (Philas & Wanjobi, 2011).
Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Physical and Health Education
In another related study, Cynthia and Megan (2008) confirmed a strong and positive relationship between the quality of school facilities and student achievement in English and mathematics. In Nigeria, it is the general opinion of people that private schools are better in terms of the availability of human and physical facilities and consequently students’ performance than public schools. However, problems, as well as factors affecting the learning and academic performance in Physical Education in primary schools, vary from school to school, individual to individual, year to year, age to age, and from one line of attitude or interest of the students and concept to another. Among the drawback in the system of education is the “school variables”. This is because, school plays an important role in students’ academic performance in their subject, especially in Physical and Health Education (Bakare, 2006).
According to Ajayl (2003) school should be a place where students are engaged in interesting and stimulating activities relevant to their lifestyles apart from the normal academic activities in the classroom. This is so because the aim of education is to among others, promote the emotional, physical and psychological health of all children. This school variable describes the school psychological environment or what others have referred to as “school cultures or the school climate” (Durosaro, 2005). The emphasis here is on the individual or student operating within a given educational context. The academic setting is considered by students as an extension of their personal resources and that it serves to reduce anxiety and the negative effect that can arise in achievement settings.
Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Physical and Health Education
Stressing the Importance of environmental variables, Damina (2005) is of the view that good schooling fosters psychological growth that contributes to the quality of life beyond the vocational domain. Stretching his position further he stated that the goal of formal education should be to equip students with intellectual tools, efficacy, beliefs, and intrinsic interest to educate themselves In a variety of. pursuit throughout their lifetime. Students’ educational outcome and academic success is greatly influenced by the types & school that they attend. School variables include school facilities, school building, school social climate, teacher’s qualification, etc. the school one attends is the Institutional environment that sets the parameters of students learning experience. He also added that students’ conditions are also part of the school variable which are social class, teachers- students’ relationship and prior learning values and attitudes, etc.
(Potter, 2003) Crosnoe et al (2004) defines school climate as the general atmosphere of the school. School climate is closely related to the interpersonal relations between students and teachers. Trust between students and teachers Increases If the school encourages teamwork. Research shows that students who trust their teachers are more motivated and as a result perform better in school (Crosnoe, 2004). School policies and programmes often dictate school climate. If a school is able t accomplish a feeling of safety, students can have success despite their family or neighborhood background. Based on the following,, this study sought to examine school variables and the teaching of physical and health education in secondary school in Abak Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Students’ performance is a key factor in the learning process, it is influenced by many schools variables such as school facilities, library facilities, school budding, teacher’s qualification and school social climate among others. These mentioned factors become the problem that enhances the effective academic performance of students in Physical and health education, especially in the selected secondary schools. Also, Physical education as a core subject whose role cannot be overemphasized effort is not made to assess the level of performance of students in the subject that they learn. The condition under which students learn differs from time to time and from place to place and does not encourage students’ performance In order to understand these conditions, we must understand the relation that holds between people and their surroundings so that any intelligent behaviour is possible.
Therefore, this study seeks to determine how environmental variables help in the teaching of physical and health education in secondary schools in Abak local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purposes of this study were to examine environmental variables and the teaching of physical and health education in secondary school in Abak Local Government Area. Specifically, this study seeks:
- To examine whether facilities influence students teaching of physical and health education in secondary school in Abak Local Government Area
- To examine how school building influence the teaching of physical and health education in secondary school in Abak Local Government Area
Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Physical and Health Education
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will be found significant to many concerned bodies including the government and the general public.
1) To the government and the ministry, the study will provide an inside into the incorporation of Innovations in Instruction to stimulate and enhance student performance in Physical and Health Education.
2) This would suggest to the government the need for an adequate supply of available facilities that will encourage students’ academic performance in Physical and Health Education.
3) Teachers will benefit from this study as they will create an enabling environment for students to study.
4) Finally, the study will act as an index for further research and will also add content to the literature review.
1.5 Research Questions
1) How does a school facility influence student academic performance in Physical and Health Education?
2) To what extent does school building influence students’ academic performance in Physical and Health Education.
1.6 Research Hypotheses
1) School facility does not significantly influence the teaching of physical and health education in secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area.
2) School building influence does not significantly influence the teaching of physical and health education in secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area.
Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Physical and Health Education