ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES UTILIZATION AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NORTHEAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper was designed to study the effect of facilities utilization on the academic performance of technical and vocational students in North East Nigeria. Specifically, it sought to determine among other objectives, the impact of the effective utilization of teaching, learning, welfare/health, sports and recreational facilities on the academic performance of technical and vocational students. In line with the stated objectives, five research questions and five null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the use of descriptive survey research design with a population of 30 consisting of 6 principals and 24 teachers drawn randomly. An instrument titled Teachers’ Utilization of School Facilities and Academic Performance in Vocational Education Questionnaire (TUSFAPVEQ) was used and validated and a reliability index of 0.85 was obtained. Data gathered were analyzed using t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The study found out that internet/ICT facilities, audio-visual aids, library, laboratory, sports and other facilities are not in adequate and sufficient numbers and are not effectively utilized by teachers to enhance teaching and learning. The paper submits that school facilities remain one essential factor for the realization of the goals of secondary education and thus, recommends that both the government and school administrators should make efforts to provide these facilities and also train teachers on how to handle and utilize the facilities.