DISCIPLINARY ISSUES AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the disciplinary issues and students’ academic performance in public junior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. Five (5) research questions were raised to guide this study. Related literatures of eminent scholars on the study were reviewed. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study were twelve (12) public junior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The respondents were the five thousand, two hundred and ten (5,210) public junior secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area in Edo State. The sample size of five (5) schools was selected using the simple random sampling technique and thirty (30) students were chosen from each sampled school making one hundred and fifty (150) students as respondents using convenience-sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection is a selfconstructed questionnaire.The research instrument employed for this study was a selfstructured questionnaire that sought information from the respondents from selected schools. The reliability of the retrieved instrument was ascertained using Pearson’s Moment Coefficient Correlation. A reliability coefficient score of 0.76 was obtained. Data was collected from the respondents and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and simple percentages. Findings revealed that Poor classroom behavior and indiscipline affect academic performance of public junior secondary school students. Ineffective disciplinary policieshave impact on academic performance in public junior secondary schools. Inadequate infrastructure and learning facilities affect academic performance of public junior secondary school students. Peer influence and negative social vicesaffect academic performance of public junior secondary school students. Inadequate implementation of disciplinary measures affect academic performance of public junior secondary school. Based on the findings stated above, the following recommendations were made: Governments should allocate adequate resources for teacher recruitment, infrastructure development, and provision of learning materials to create a conducive learning environment. Poor infrastructure and lack of resources often contribute to indiscipline. Schools should establish mechanisms to regularly assess and review disciplinary policies and their impact on academic performance, making necessary adjustments based on evidence and feedback. Adequate infrastructure and learning facilities should be provided by both government and school management to enable teachers execute their duties effectively and efficiently. Positive peer influence will help students improve in theiracademic performance of public junior secondary school students rather than engaging in social vices like cultism due to bad friends in schools. Finally, schools should employ trained counselors to provide guidance and  mentorship to students, helping them navigate personal challenges and fostering a sense of responsibility and self-discipline.