DISADVANTAGED CONDITION AS A CORRELATE TO ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SCIENCE

Abstract

This study investigated disadvantaged condition as a correlate to academic performance of senior secondary school students in science in Enugu North Local Area of Enugu State. The population of the study comprised of all the senior secondary school science students in Enugu North Local Government Area. The sample size of the study was made up of 909 senior secondary school students in co-education government schools (400 males, 509 females). The sample was drawn using standard Yamane 1967 which stated that a population of 5000 should have a sample size of 909 at + or - 3 %. Two purpose of study, two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Two instruments were used for the study namely Disadvantaged Condition Inventory (DCI) and Averaged Termly Score of Senior Science Secondary Students Performance (ATSSSSSP). The data collected were analysed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for both research questions and hypotheses which were tested at .05 level of significance. The results revealed a moderate positive correlation between disadvantaged condition and academic performance of senior secondary school students in science. Hence, there is significant difference in correlation between disadvantaged condition and academic performance of senior secondary school students in science. And a low positive correlation between male and female senior science secondary school students’ disadvantage condition and their academic performance. Hence, there is no significant difference in correlation between disadvantaged condition and academic performance of senior secondary school students in science as moderated by gender. From the findings it was recommended among others that there is need for Government to provide in-service training, workshops, seminars and conferences as this will enable secondary school science teachers grow with new knowledge that will help and enable them to manage disadvantage condition science students to bring about good academic performance for national development in areas of science. From the recommendations, conclusions were made.