INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMICS PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGUATA LGA ANAMBRA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Learning is enhanced when given in a rich environment, that is, if the classroom environment is conducive and has all necessary learning facilities. In other words, a bare and hostile classroom and school environment offer little stimulation to learning (Anyanwu and Izuagba 2009). The school environment consists of classrooms, libraries, labs, a football field, a building, peers, teaching methods, teachers' quarters, a technical workshop, and so on. The environment here includes both the physical, psychological, and social environments, as well as the students' and teachers' mutual relationships. The atmosphere should be designed to facilitate learning.

The teacher/learner is at the core of the teaching and learning process; all of the teacher's energy spent in and out of the classroom and in the school environment are directed at guaranteeing good all-round development.

As a result, because the school is a well-established institution where a child's conduct is moulded in order to prepare him for a meaningful life in society, the school environment should include elements that are vital for attaining educational goals.

In essence, the school building, school infrastructure, and school personnel are recognized to have a positive influence on the academic performance of the child. 2009 (Izuagba and Obiefuna). According to Glassman (2000), a comfortable and caring environment, among other treatments, helps to improve students' academic performance.

The school facilities and infrastructures are essential for the achievement of educational objectives. Facilities such as a white board, projector, notice board, clock, bell, chairs, tables, desk, first aid box, textbooks, and so on are required for effective school administration. Because the school environment refers to the instructional administrative circulation, it is an important area that should be studied and well managed in order to improve students' academic performance (Oluchukwu 2000).

The extent to which students' learning can be improved is determined by their interaction within the school grounds, the structure of their classroom, and the availability of instructional facilities and accessories (Ajao2000). It is believed that a well-planned school will gear up expected educational outcomes that will facilitate good social, political, and economic emancipation, effective teaching and learning processes, and academic performance of students. Because the environment is a major factor that determines an individual's capacity to learn and also provides a foundation for future achievement, this calls for concerted efforts on the part of parents, educators, and the government to provide adequate school facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, functional libraries, and sporting facilities to enhance the intellectual and academic performance of the school effects on teachers, students, and the lea Poor ventilation, noise, high penetration of carbon dioxide into the classroom, inconsistent temperature makes teaching and learning difficult, poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation system leads to poor health among students and teachers, which inevitably leads to poor academic performance (Ostender and Lyon 2001), believe that these factors can negatively affect students.

The academic achievement of students in Nigeria has been a source of great concern for the government, teachers, parents, and students themselves. The standard of education is dependent not only on the teacher as reflected in the performance of their duties, but also on the effective coordination of the school environment (Ajao,2000) Beyond the direct effect that these inadequate facilities have on students' ability to learn, their combination with other facilities such as instructional aid and infrastructure creates an uncomfortable and frustrating work environment for teachers as well as an unconducive atmosphere for students, which manifests in poor concentration and hyperactivity, resulting in a stressful set of working conditions for teachers (Ajayi, 2003). As a result, stress and job dissatisfaction are common precursors that lower teachers' enthuse, and the above-mentioned characteristics of school facilities have effects on students' academic performance. The school cannot operate in isolation of its immediate social and physical environment, because what happens in the immediate environment helps to determine the curriculum and the quality of teachers available to the school at any point in time. The environment in which a student lives can either limit or aid his capacity to learn (Ajayi 2003)

According to Frazier (2002), the Psycho-Socio-Physical Factors that Influence Learning are:

• The educational setting

• The education

• The instructor

The physical aspect of learning is concerned with the setting in which actual teaching and learning takes place. Physical factors are completely beyond the learners' control; most of the child's teaching and learning normally take place in the classroom or laboratory; therefore, there is a need for a productive learning environment, which according to Arends(2005), is one in which students have a positive attitude towards themselves and their classroom, that is their fellow student or peers, and in which they demonstrate a high level of academic performance, both motivation and achievement.

The decisions and actions of the teacher also serve to form the classroom atmosphere.

The classroom atmosphere must be constructed to encourage intellectual risk-taking and intrinsic drive, allowing students to be creative and self-sufficient in their learning.

Teachers must instill in pupils a positive attitude toward learning and obtain their leadership roles as facilitating actions such as building the condition and interacting with students in ways that boost their learning (Miller2010).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Most schools encounter issues such as insufficient libraries, classrooms, staff-rooms, laboratories, teaching equipment such as instructional aids, and technical workshops.

These issues have created significant hurdles to the teaching and learning process, as well as hampered the academic achievement of Nigerian students. It is widely assumed that if the learning environment is suitable and teaching resources are available, students in secondary schools will be more educated and there will be reduced chance of low academic performance, and vice versa. However, inadequate libraries, classrooms, and teaching equipment, among other things, impede the academic performance of secondary school students in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The study is to examine the influence of school environment on the academics performance of secondary school students in Aguata local government area of Anambra State. Specifically the study intends to:

1. Ascertain whether there is a significant relationship between school environment and students academic performance.

2. Ascertain the factors associated with unconducive school environment in secondary school in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

3. Determine the effect of unconducive school environment on students academic performance.

4. Find out the implications of unconducive school environment on students academic performance.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are based on the problems raised in the statement of the problem to guide the study.

1. Is there a significant relationship between school environment and students academic performance.

2. What are the factors associated with unconducive school environment in secondary school in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

3. What is the effect of unconducive school environment on students academic performance.

4. What are the implications of unconducive school environment on students academic performance?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypotheses were formulated to be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

Ho: There is no significant relationship between school environment and students academic performance.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between school environment and students academic performance.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

The life-wire of any educational system as believed is the extent to which school facilities are made available in maximum quality and quantity in order to achieve goals.

However, the result of the findings of this research work will be immense benefits to the government, principles or school administrators, teachers, parents as well as student researchers, in playing a sensitive role aimed at improving the standard of education through providing conducive learning environment.

The government or policy makers will be able to formulate effective planning and implement policies and programs for improved teaching activities, allocation of funds, timely release period and the legal framework guiding its activities.

The school administrators will be provided an extensive knowledge to improve in school supervision, this is to ensure both quality teaching and learning in the school. It will enable the contribution of school facilities and equipment on students performance be initiated, sustained, appreciated and put into good use.

It will enable teachers appreciate the need for proper instructional delivery, help them improve in both teaching effectiveness and increased productivity with the school in encouraging students to make use of the facilities either to solve assignments, observe practical knowledge and the acquisition of essential skills.

Parents will be able to determine the choice of the type of school for their children, because their children will enjoy good school learning environment that will eventually lead to quality school products. It will afford other student researchers valid working document of literature to look into grey areas not covered by this study and find ways to improve over them.

1.7 Delimitation Of The Study

The study is delimited to the the influence of school environment on the academics performance of secondary school students in Aguata local government area of Anambra State. The content area covers the school administrators, teachers and students of ten (10) randomly selected public secondary schools in Aguata local government area of Anambra State. Because, it is believed that they have been in the system for quite some time and have taught in different students at various levels. It is in this view that variables like the school building, library services, location, funding school facilities, its utilization, roles of stakeholders among other things were looked into.

1.8 Operational Definition Of Terms

In order to clarify ambiguity, the researcher gives a clear definition of operational terms as used in this research Study.

Environment – this can be defined as a system within which living organisms interact with the physical element. Whatever we come in contact with either it be in the school area, play ground or around the home.

School Environment – it is a learning place where the learner learns and interacts with learning facilities in order to be socialized and face the challenges in the society. It involves both material and non-material resources in the school, it includes the teachers, peers, cohesiveness, the subjects, method of teaching.

Academic performance: Students scores obtained from both internal and external examination after classroom interactive teaching and learning.

Classroom Environment: This is specified place either in a confined or opened arena where teaching and learning activities is carried out.

Perception: It refers to the tendency to respond positively or negatively towards certain things (person, idea, object and situation).

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