SEXUALITY EDUCATION AND RELATIONSHIP ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE GIRL-CHILD IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated sexuality education and relationship on academic performance of the girl -child in secondary schools in Rivers State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A point Biserial correlation research design was adopted for the study. The population is 10120 senior secondary students in Rivers State with a sample of 400 students drawn from two schools out of the 291 public secondary school in the state using purposive random sampling technique. Researcher made test instrument titled Sexuality Education Performance Test (SEPT). The instrument was validated by three specialists. The reliability coefficient 0.85 was obtained using Cronbach alpha estimates, which shows that the instrument is reliable. The instrument was administered by the researcher with the aid of three research assistants. The research assistants were trained by the researcher on how to administer and retrieve the questionnaire. This was necessary to ensure that the respondents do not give bias responses that would adversely affect the study. All questionnaires were retrieved immediately after completion. Research questions and hypotheses were answered and analyzed using Point Biserial Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Among the findings of the study is that there is no significant relationship between abstinence plus and academic performance of girl child in secondary schools in Rivers State and one of the recommendations was that, teachers should equip students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to abstain from sex.