Effect of School Facilities on Learner's Academic Performance in Science Subjects in Secondary Schools: A Case of Rutsiro District, Rwanda (2021-2023)

Simon Pierre Ntahomvukiye; Cyprien Sikubwabo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.5.2.61

Authors

Simon Pierre Ntahomvukiye
Simonntahomvukiye52@gmail.com
University of Kigali, Rwanda
Dr. Sikubwabo Cyprien, PhD School of Education, University of Kigali (UOK); Kigali Independent University ULK, Rwanda https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5996-5515

Keywords:

Academic Performance, Schools Facilities, Secondary Schools, Students

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of school facilities on learners’ academic performance in science subjects in secondary schools in Rutsiro district, Rwanda. The following objectives guided the study: The study aimed to investigate the impact of physical facilities and physical instructional materials on students' academic performance in science subjects in Rutsiro district secondary schools. Furthermore, it aimed to investigate the influence of electronic instructional materials on the academic performance of science students in Rutsiro district secondary schools. Environmentalist Bandura's theory of learning, also known as the social cognitive learning theory (SCLT), guided the research. Based on the descriptive research design and mixed-methods approach, the study was conducted in five selected secondary schools in the Rutsiro District. The study's target population consisted of 460 respondents: five head teachers, five directors of studies, 150 teachers, and 300 students. The study involved 214 participants, including 2 head teachers, 2 directors of studies, 70 teachers, and 140 students. Systematic sampling was used to select the five schools, purposive sampling to select the student sample size, and the census sampling technique to select the head teachers and directors of studies. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, interview guides, and documentary reviews. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics. The study found a significant correlation between the availability of school facilities and academic performance. There were positive and significant correlations between academic performance and school facilities in Rutsiro District, Rwanda, and measures of the availability of school facilities were as follows: physical facilities (r = 0.814, p<0.01), electronic and technology facilities (r = 0.826, p<0.1), and physical instructional materials (r = 0.949, p<0.01). The findings from regression analysis revealed that physical facilities have a positive and significant effect on learners’s academic performance in science subjects in Rutsiro district secondary schools (β = 0.814, P value <0.05), The findings from regression analysis revealed that physical instructional materials have a negative and significant effect on learners’s academic performance in science subjects in Rutsiro district secondary schools (β = -0.417, P value <0.05), The findings from regression analysis revealed that electronic instructional materials have a positive and significant effect on learners’s academic performance in science subjects in Rutsiro district secondary schools (β = 0.308, P value <0.05). Teachers, district education officials, and head teachers all agree that school facilities influence academic performance in science subjects positively. Specifically, physical facilities motivate learners and enhance their performance. It was observed that students taught in classrooms equipped with school facilities outperformed those without access. Consequently, the study recommends that science teachers utilize available school facilities for instruction and adapt when materials are unavailable.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Abdu-Raheem, B. O. (2011). Availability, adequacy, and utilisation of social studies instructional materials in Ekiti State secondary schools. Journal of Current Discourse and Research, 3, 242-255.

Abdu-Raheem, B. O. (2014). Improvisation of instructional materials for teaching and learning in secondary schools as predictor of high academic standard. Nigerian Journal of Social Studies, 17(1), 131-143.

Abdu-Raheem, B. O., & Oluwagbohunmi, M. F. (2015). Pre-service teachers' problems of improvisation of instructional materials in social studies in Ekiti State University. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(3), 160-163.

Abolade, A. (2009). Basic criteria for selecting and using learning and instructional materials. In I. O. Abimbola & A. O. Abolade (Eds.), Fundamental principles and practices of instruction (pp. 497-504). Department of Science Education, Ilorin.

Adedeji, T. (1998). In Abiodun-Oyebanji, O. A. (2008). Resource situation and academic staff job performance in South-West Nigerian universities (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ado-Ekiti).

Ademilua, A. (2002). Factors affecting academic performance of students in some selected schools in Ekiti State (Unpublished M.Ed. Dissertation, University of Ilorin, Nigeria).

Adeogum, A. A. (2001). The principal and the financial management of public schools. Journal of Educational System and Development, 5(1), 1-10.

Adeyemi, T. (2008). The influence of class size on the quality of output in secondary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 5(2), 202-208.

Afolabi, S. (2010). Assessment of resources and instructional materials status in teaching of mathematics in southwestern Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 43(1), 406-410.

Ahmed, T. (2003). Education and national development in Nigeria. Journal of Studies in Education, 10, 35-46.

Ajayi, A. (2000). Capacity strengthening seminar for the Local Education Secretaries (SPEB). Ekiti State. April 28.

Ajayi, I. A., & Ayodele, J. B. (2001). An introduction to educational planning: Administration and supervision. Ado-Ekiti: Yemi Prints Publishing Services.

Ajayi, K. (2020). Educational facility age and the academic achievement of upper elementary school students (PhD Dissertation, University of Georgia).

Akinleye, G. (2010). Enhancing the quality of life in this complicated but dynamic world. 25th Inaugural lecture, University of Ado-Ekiti, April 6.

Alimi, R. (2014). Management of school physical facilities in Ondo state, Nigeria: A case study of Ikale and Ondo Local Government Area (Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria).

Altbach, P. (1998). Gigantic peripheries: India and China in the world knowledge. In P. G. Altbach (Ed.), Comparative higher education knowledge: The university development (pp. 497-504). Greenwich, CT: Ablex.

Amin, M. (2005). Social science research; conception, methodology and analysis. Kampala: Makerere University.

Babayomi, A. A. (1999). Comparative study of the teaching and learning resources. Department of Educational Administration, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Balos, T. M. (2021). School facilities, conditions and students' academic achievement. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Bandura, A., Adams, N. E., & Beyer, J. (1977). Cognitive processes mediating behavioral change. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.35.3.125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.35.3.125

Bello, K., Kalgo, N. A., & Dankolo, H. M. (2020). Effect of dilapidated buildings of secondary schools on academic performance in Sokoto State. Sospoly Journal of Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Environmental Studies, 3(1), 1-8.

Borg, R., & Gall, M. (1989). Educational research: A guide for preparing a thesis or dissertation proposal in education. White Plains, NY: Longman, Inc.

Chandan, J. (1999). Management theory and practice. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.

Chonjo, P. N. (1994). The quality of education in Tanzanian primary schools. UTAFITI (New Series), 1(1), 36-47.

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2000). Research methods in education (5th ed.). London: Routledge Falmer.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203224342_chapter_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203224342_chapter_1

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education (6th ed.). London and New York, NY: Routledge Falmer.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053

Cotton, H. D. (2001). Misbehavior, suspension, and security measures in high school: Racial/ethnic and gender differences. In D. Losen (Ed.), Closing the school discipline gap. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Enaigbe, A. P. (2009). Strategies for improving supervisory skills for effective primary education in Nigeria. Edo Journal of Counselling, 2(2), 235-244. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejc.v2i2.60864 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ejc.v2i2.60864

Eniayewu, J. (2005). Effect of instructional materials on teaching of economics in secondary schools in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ikere Journal of Education, 7, 117-120.

Esu, A. E. O., Enukoha, O. I. T., & Umorem, G. U. (2004). Curriculum development in Nigeria for colleges and universities. Owerri: Whyte and Whyte Publishers.

Fadeiye, J. (2005). A social studies textbook for colleges and universities. Ibadan: Akin-Johnson Press and Publishers.

Farombi, G. (2018). The impact of location, amenities, and class size on secondary school students' academic performance in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria).

Farrant, J. S. (1980). Principles and practices in education. Singapore: Longman Publishers Limited.

Fuller, B., & Clark, P. (1994). Raising school effects while ignoring culture? Local conditions and the influence of classroom tools, rules, and pedagogy. Review of Educational Research, 64(2), 119-157. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543064001119 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543064001119

Hale, A. J. (2002). The nature of environmental quality in the workplace. Milwaukee, WI: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Architecture and Urban Planning. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2002.1993 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2002.1993

Hallak, J. (1990). Investing in the future: Setting educational priorities in the developing world. Paris: IIEP and Pergamon Press.

Ibeneme, O. (2000). Provision and utilization of instructional equipment for teaching and learning science and technology. Issues in Educational Journal, 1, 139-144.

Ikegbusi, N. G. (2019). Effective strategies for improving school environment in climate change in Anambra State secondary schools. Paper presented at the first Annual International Conference of the Faculty of Education, AE-FUNAI, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Ikegbusi, N. G., Egwu, J. U., & Iheanacho, R. (2021). Students' perception of utilization of ICT in teaching and learning in post-COVID-19 era in Nigeria. ANSU Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 8(2), 127-138.

Ikerionwu, J. (2000). Importance of aids and resources in classroom teaching. In A. M. Oyeneyin (Ed.), Perspective of Classroom Teaching. Abuja: Martmonic Investment Ltd.

Jekayinfa, A. (2012). Fundamentals of instructional methods. Ilorin, Kwara State: Olives Production Ltd.

Julia, W. Y. (2003). Shaping school culture: The heart of leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kochhar, S. K. (2012). The teaching of social studies. New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers Private Limited.

Maduekwe, A. N. (2006). Perspective on Teacher Education and ICTs in the Language Classroom. In V. B. (Ed.), An Introduction to Educational Technologies in Education. Lagos: Sibon Books Ltd.

Ministry of Education. (2010). Education Sector Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015. Kigali: MINEDUC.

Ministry of Education. (2019). Rwanda Education Statistics Report. Kigali: MINEDUC.

Mugenda, O. M. (1999). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: African Centre for Technology Studies.

Mulusa, T. (1990). Evaluating Education and Community Development programmes. Deutsche Stitung for International Entwicklung and Collage of Adult and Distance.

Mwiria, K. (1995). Issues in Educational Research in Africa. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishing Limited.

Nwankwo, J. (1982). Educational Administration: Theory and Practice. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.

Obanya, P. (2004). The dynamics of secondary education: A synthesis of studies in four states of the federation. Washington D.C.: The World Bank.

Ogbondah, L. (2008). An appraisal of instructional materials used to educate migrant fishermen's children in Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, 1(1), 13-25.

Ogunleye, A. O. (2006). Towards the Optimal Utilization and Management of Resources for the effective Teaching and Learning of physics in Schools. Proceedings of the 41st Annual conference of the Science Teachers' Association of Nigeria (STAN).

Okeke, C. I. (2009). Status of missing physical facilities in Government Schools of Punjab. Journal of Research and Reflection in Education, 5(2), 105-127.

Okunola, P. (1985). Resource Utilization and Projection in secondary Education in Oyo State of Nigeria. (Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria).

Olumorin, C. O. (2010). Development of instructional materials from local resources for art-based courses. Asian Journal of Information Technology, 9(2), 107-110. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajit.2010.107.110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ajit.2010.107.110

Oso, L. (2011). Need for improvisation in classroom teaching. The Punch, June 20.

Philas, A. (2015). The relationship between resource utilization and Academic Performance in Osun State Secondary schools. (Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria).

Steward, G. J. (2006). Improving educational standard and productivity. Berkeley: McCutchhan Publishing Corp.

Ullah, A., & Usman, M. (2023). Role of Libraries in Ensuring Quality Education at Higher Education Institutions: A Perspective of Pakistan. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 2(4). Retrieved from https://invergejournals.com/

Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis, 2nd Edition. New York: Harper and Row.