Abstract: This research investigated Environmental Resources Utilization and Academic Performance of Students in Chemistry in Secondary Schools. A quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. Two research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A total of two hundred (200) senior secondary two (SS 2) students of Chemistry and four (4) public secondary schools were selected from seven (7) public secondary schools and Eight Thousand four hundred and seventeen (8,417) students in Eket Local Government Area through simple random and stratified random sampling techniques. A validated Chemistry Achievement Test (C.A T) was the instrument used in gathering the data for the study, an independent t-test statistical method was used to test the two hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.
On the bases of this research findings, it can be concluded that there is a significant mean difference in the academic performance of students taught Chemistry in Small Class Size and those taught in large class size, also that there is significant mean difference between students taught Chemistry in renovated school buildings and those taught Chemistry in dilapidated school buildings in secondary schools in Eket Local Government Area. This study recommended that Governments, non-governmental organizations should help in the provision and renovation of school buildings; Environmental Resources Utilization should be provided to enable learners develop their talent and potentials to the fullest if high academic performance is to be maintained.
Environmental Resources Utilization and Academic Performance of Students in Chemistry in Secondary Schools
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
The school environment, which include the classrooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories, teachers’ quality, school management, teaching methods, peers, etc. are variables that affect students’ academic achievement. Therefore, the Environment Resources remains an important area that should be studied and well managed to enhance students’ academic performance. The issue of poor academic performance of students in Nigeria has been of much concern to the government, parents, teachers and even students themselves. The quality of education not only depends on the teachers as reflected in the performance of their duties but also in the effective co-ordination of the Environmental Resources Utilization (Ariyo, 2004).
Environmental Resources Utilization which includes instructional spaces planning, administrative places planning, accessories planning, spaces for conveniences planning, circulation spaces planning, the teachers as well as the students themselves are essential in the teaching learning process. The extent to which students learning could be enhanced depends on their location within the school compound, the structure of their classroom, availability of instructional materials. It is believed that a well planned school will fear up expected outcomes of education that will facilitate good social, political and economic emancipation, effective of students (Akaeze, 2004).
The physical characteristics of the school I have a variety of effects on teachers, students and the learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high levels of carbon-dioxide in classrooms and in consistently temperature make teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation systems lead to poor health among students as well as teachers, which leads to poor performance and higher absentee rates (Balogun, 2002). These factors can adversely affect students’ behaviour and lead to higher level of frustration among teachers and poor learning attitude among students.
Beyond the direct effects that poor facilities have on students’ ability to learn, the combination of poor facilities which creates on uncomfortable and uninvited workplace for teachers, combined frustrating behaviour by students including poor concentration and hyperactivity, Lethargy or apathy creates a stressful set of working conditions for teachers. Because stress and job dissatisfaction are common pre-cursors to lower teacher enthusiasm, it is possible that the aforementioned characteristics of school facilities have an effect upon the academic performance of students.
Environmental Resources Utilization and Academic Performance of Students in Chemistry in Secondary Schools
1.2 Statement of the problem
Environmental Resources Utilization is an important aspect of educational planning. Therefore, unless schools are well sited, buildings adequately constructed, equipment adequately utilized and maintained, much teaching-learning may not take place. The high levels of students’ academic performance have been lowered. The students in some area performed better than students in other area. This motivated the research to carryout a research work in other to find out the cause of this declining performance of students in biology. Whether the Environmental Resources Utilization have any impact or not.
1.3 Purpose of the study
The purpose of this research work are:
(i) To examine the relationship between Environmental Resources Utilization and the students’ academic performance in Chemistry in Eket Local Government Area
(ii) To examine the impact of school facilities on the academic performance of: Students in Chemistry in Eket Local Government Area.
(iii) To explore factors such as class size that have been perceived to promote or inhibit students learning in the academic performance of students in Chemistry in secondary schools in Eket Local Government Area.
(iv) To investigate the extent to which school buildings affects the academic performances of students in secondary schools in Eket Local Government Area.
1.4 Significance of the study
It is hoped that this study will provide information for parents, educators and school administrators to reflect upon various factors that help students in achieving their academic goals. In so doing, they can investigate the possibility of introducing those factors to their school which may consequently lead to enhancing students’ educational outcomes in schools.
In this connection, this study provides a valuable reference for other schools to reflect upon the Environmental Resources Utilization as it affects the academic performance of students in secondary schools in Eket Local Government Area.
