RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONITSHA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated relationship between school physical environment and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Three specific purposes and three research questions guided the study. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised all the 641 Senior Secondary School (SSS II) students from the six public secondary schools in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State. A sample size of 160 SS II students was drawn for the study through proportionate stratified sampling technique. Researcher-structured rating scale titled “School Physical Environment Rating Scale (SPERS)” and Standardized Academic Performance Test (APT) obtained from English Language and Mathematics teachers were used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts; two experts in Educational Management and Policy and one in Measurement and Evaluation Unit in the Department of Educational Foundations, all in the Faculty of Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Internal consistency co-efficient of 0.81, 0.84, and 0.89 were obtained using Cronbach Alpha statistical method. The researcher administered the instrument to the respondents with the help of three research assistants. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between school physical environment (school site, school infrastructural facilities, and school furniture) and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Thus, the study concluded that school physical environment is an important variable that impacts students’ academic performance and success in public secondary schools in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that policy makers should prioritize funding for school infrastructure improvements to enhance student performance, particularly in underserved areas with suboptimal school sites. Secondary school principals should ensure regular maintenance and upgrades of school infrastructural facilities to create an optimal learning environment that boosts student academic performance. Teachers should effectively utilize available infrastructural resources and encourage students to take full advantage of conducive classroom environments to improve learning outcomes. Students should maximize the benefits of well-maintained school facilities and furniture by adopting disciplined study habits and active engagement in learning activities.