EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN FORMAL EDUCATION IN IMO STATE: MEETING CHALLENGES OF 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA

Abstract

Emotional intelligence and academic performance in formal education in Imo State: Meeting challenges of 21st century Nigeria. However, this study hinged on correlation research design. The study was conducted at Imo State University, Owerri. The population of the study was 6980 students of Imo State University, Owerri. The sample size of the study was 378 students of the Faculty of Education in Imo State and it was determined through Taro Yamane scientific method. The instrument for this study was constructed by the researcher. The questionnaire was titled Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance (EIAP). The questionnaire had two sections. In section A, the respondents were to give information on their data while in section B, they responded to the questionnaire items and indicated their level of agreement. It had twenty-two items which were graded on a 4-point scale of Strongly Agree -SA (4), Agree – A (3), Disagreed – D (2), Strongly Disagree – SD (1). The drafted questionnaire items together with the research topic, objectives of the study, and research questions were given to experts in Measurement and Evaluation for validation. The comments of these experts were used to modify the questionnaire. A test re-test method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to ascertain the consistency of the instrument. A reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. The researchers administered 378 copies of the questionnaire to students by themselves with the help of two research assistants. The respondents answered the questions and the distributed copies of the questionnaire were collected on the spot with a record of 100% return rate. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings revealed that emotional intelligence can easily blend with new people and build strong relationships by exchanging thoughts with each other. It was recommended that Parents/teachers and educational institutions should foster an environment that encourages and supports self-motivation and practice reappraisal daily.