ABSTRACT

The study examined the factors affecting students’ academic performance in integrated science in public junior secondary school. The instrument used for data collection was a well-structured questionnaire, which was developed and administered to 200 students in Egor local government area of Edo state.

The data revealed that even though students find basic science an interesting subject, they still face difficulties in learning the subject. It also revealed that the factors influencing the poor performance of students in basic science include, teachers not putting extra efforts in helping weak students understand basic science, the teaching method used by teachers is not easily understandable by the students, most teachers do not use instructional materials (illustrations, charts) for teaching basic science, extracurricular activities which could improve student's knowledge of Basic science are not being carried out in schools, teachers are strict in teaching Basic science.

It is therefore recommended that there should be a good student teacher relationship between teachers and learners of integrated science, schools should try and break down classrooms into sections as this will help in reducing overpopulation in classrooms, necessary and needed adjustment should be made in the basic science curriculum, and finally, government should provide infrastructure that would motivate students learning process.