INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the influence of social factors on students’ academic performance in selected secondary schools in Benin-City. Four research questions and four hypotheses guided this study. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study consisted of secondary school students, while the sample for the study was 240 respondents. Questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The null hypotheses were tested using 0.05 value of significance. The findings revealed that there was significant influence of parent socio-economic status on academic performance of students LF (1, 238) = 8.862; p<0.05]; there was significant influence of access and utilization of academic materials on academic performance [F (2, 237) = 11.48: p<O.OS]; there was no significant influence of peer group on academic performance IF (1, 238) = 0.10; p>O.OS1; there was significant influence of socio-cultural factors on academic performance IF (1, 238) = 12.94; p<0.0Sj. Based on the findings, it was concluded that students’ parents’ socio-economic status, socio cultural factors, access and utilization of academic materials influenced academic performance. It was recommended among others that government should provide bursary allowances for students to complement parents’ income.