School facilities and academic achievement of secondary school agricultural science in Ekiti state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study looked at the provision of facilities as it relates to academic performance of students in agricultural science in Ekiti state of Nigeria between 1990 and 1997. The study population was results of the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) conducted between 1990 and 1997 in 50 secondary schools in both rural and urban areas of the state. One validated instrument (STQF) was used for data collection. One hypothesis was formulated and answered. Data were analysed using mean and t-test. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the performance of students between rural and urban secondary schools in term of availability of library facilities (t = 1.79, p<0.05), availability of textbooks (t= 1.20; p <0.05) and availability of laboratory facilities (t= 1.83, p<0.05). It has been established that facilities are potent to high academic achievement of students; therefore, Ekiti State Government should provide adequate material resources to rural/urban locations to enhance teaching and learning processes. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA), philanthropist and other charitable organizations are also implored to compliment the effort of the government to boost the performance of students in SSCE.