THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT

The study basically examined the relationship between social problems in schools and academic performance of students in selected secondary schools in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State. Seven research objectives leading to seven research questions and hypotheses were stated to guide the study. A total number of 250 teachers were carefully selected from the entire population through the method of stratified and simple random strategy. The research design was descriptive survey in nature where questionnaire was developed to gather the data used for the study. The Pearson Correlation Statistics was employed to test the null hypotheses stated for the study using 0.05 Levels of Significance in order to accept or reject them. Findings of the study showed a significant relationship between age and promotion of maladaptive behavior that lead to poor academic performance; there is a significant relationship between school entry age and academic performance; Equally, results also showed significant relationship exists between cult activities and academic performance; significant relationship between examination malpractice and academic performance. Other findings of the study showed a significant relationship exists between deviancy/delinquency and academic performance of students; significant relationship exists between truancy to school and academic performance of students, Recommendations were made following the outcomes of the research findings. They include. need for counseling services in Secondary Schools in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State; Children should be exposed to reading and writing at very early age; Government should place indefinite ban all form of associations in secondary schools that are not promoting students’ knowledge, skill and attitude; Government should also continue in the fight against corruption in all its ramifications and punish offenders to show deterrent to others; It was also recommended thatmaladjusted students in secondary schools in Mushin Local Government Area should be given psycho- socio therapy. Also, parents should ensure that their children get to school early every day, and that the present curriculum on religion and national values should be properly implemented

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the study

Social problems are issues happenings which are frequently occurring in the society in recent times. They are the issues that affect everybody in the society. The issues are of great concern to both the young and adults. They are not personal or individualized issues but general issues and as such require general solution. Some of the social issues that pervade the length and breadth of our country such as corruption, social inequality, ethnicity, limited resources, poverty, criminality, and other socio-economic crises have manifested in different dimensions in secondary school levels of our education system and appear to be taking alarming proportions.

THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS