DEVIANCY AND ITS' INFLUENCE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the influence of deviancy on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, six research questions were raised and examined. Data was collected from 43 teachers drawn from 3 schools representing 50% of the population of junior secondary school teachers in public secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. An analysis of data was done using simple percentage, frequency count and Pearson moment correlation

The findings from the study revealed  the indicators of deviancy among secondary school students in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State to include examination malpractice, lateness to school, stealing and abuse of hard drugs. It was concluded that that deviancy significantly influence students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The study recommended that principals and teachers should device appropriate punitive measures in controlling deviant behaviours in schools. It was also recommended that school authority should occasionally invite moral transformation agents to school to give talks to students on good moral behaviours.