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EFFECTS OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES OF STUDENTS IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

School environment is the thread that connects to the various activities on the school. In many respects, this thread is almost invisible, yet everyone experiences its influence. Dudek (2000), opined that it is external influences in the school that can influence academic performance of students, irrespective of their intelligent quotient. School environment can also be considered as a major factor in teaching and learning, since space has the power to organize and promote pleasant relationships between people of different ages, to provide changes, to promote choices and activities and for its potential for sparking different types of social and affective learning (Okeke, 2001).

            The school environment, include the classrooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories, teachers’ quality, school management, teaching methods, peers, and others are variables that affect students’ academic performance (Ajayi, and Oluchukwu, 2001). Hence, the school environment remains an important area that should be studied and well managed to enhance students’ academic performance.

School environment also include the planning of instructional spaces, administrative places, spaces for conveniences, equipments, the teachers as well as the students are all essential in teaching-learning process. The extent to which student learning could be enhanced depends on their location within the school compound, the structure of their classroom, availability of instructional facilities and accessories. It is believed that a well planned school will gear up expected outcomes of education that will facilitate good social, political and economic emancipation, effective teaching and learning process and academic performance of the students.

            According to Williams, Persaud, and Turner (2008), safe and orderly classroom management and School facilities were significantly related to students’ academic performance in schools. Therefore a comfortable and caring environment among others could help to contribute to students` academic performance.

According to Frazier (2002). The physical facilities of the school have a variety of effects on teachers, students, and the learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high levels of carbon dioxide in classrooms, and inconsistent temperatures make teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation systems lead to poor health among students as well as teachers, could lead to poor performance and higher absentee rates These factors can adversely affect student behavior and lead to higher levels of frustration among teachers, and poor learning attitude among student.

            It seems that the direct effect, poor facilities have on students’ ability to learn, the uncomfortable and uninviting workplace for teachers, the frustrating behavior by students, including poor concentration and hyperactivity makes room for more stress and stressful conditions for teachers. It is possible that the mentioned characteristics of school facilities have an effect upon the academic performance of students.

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