TEACHERS QUALITY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT AS DETERMINANTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study investigates teacher quality and work environment as determinants of secondary school students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Anambra state. In an attempt to focus on the study, three research question were formulated and three null hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. They study used correlational research design. The population of 266 SS2 English teachers and 1,878 SS2 students in the 266 registered public secondary schools were sampled using proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Two set of instruments titled teachers quality questionnaire and work environment questionnaire were used for the study. The first was measured using their experience and qualifications adopted from national curriculum for secondary school English language 2009. Second instrument with 10 items for physical work environment, social work environment and school climate developed by the researcher was used. For academic achievement documents containing the results of students in English language termly examination for academic section under review was used for the study. Face and construct validation of the instruments were determined by three experts. One expert in measurement and evaluation and two experts in Educational foundations all in the Department of Educational foundations, Faculty of Education, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha which yielded coefficient of internal consistency of 0.75 was considered reliable for the study. The instruments for data analysis were administered with the help of five briefed research assistants. Data collected were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient while hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using simple linear regression. After analyzing the data of the study, the following findings were discovered: There exist a positive significant (relationship) between teacher’s experience, teachers’ qualifications, physical work environment and academic achievement of secondary school students in public secondary schools in Anambra state. Base on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended amongst others: Regular in-service training programs and workshops should be organized to enhance teaching skills and incorporate new teaching methodologies and technologies. This can go a long way to create a continuous cycle of improvement in teaching quality, leading to significant and lasting enhancements in students’ academic achievement and overall educational outcomes.