ABSTRACT
The study investigated the rising cost of education: its implications on secondary school students: a case study of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Related literatures of eminent scholars’ views on the study were reviewed. A descriptive survey was employed to carry out the study. The total population of comprised teachers, students and parents and One hundred (100) respondents were sampled for this study.
The research instrument used in this study was questionnaire which constituted 12 item that sought information from the both students and teachers in the schools. Instrument used for data collection for this study was questionnaire. A questionnaire titled “The Rising Cost of Education - Its Implications on Secondary School Students” (TRCEIISSSQ). The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Reliability Coefficient Pearson Correlation method. A reliability coefficient score of 0.80 was obtained. Questionnaires were administered to public secondary school teachers and students on the rising cost of education: Its Implications on Secondary School Students, while checklist was administered to principals on students’ performance score.
The findings revealed that that increasing school levies influences academic performance, that extra school levies are charged in almost all schools. Students who are unable to pay the extra charged fees are summoned by the school authorities and sent home to collect the specific levy, thus interrupting learning programs. Due to poverty, some students are forced to remain at home for extended period of time and this also adversely impacts their academic performance. Pupils are involved in at the expense of learning due to poverty levels. Most Students tend to be attracted by the above income generating activities because they earn money and this causes a decline in academic performance, income generating activities affect academic performance. That Students cannot afford decent school uniform while only 62% can afford decent should uniforms. Students without uniform suffer from psychological side effects, feeling of dislike or stigmatization by other Students. There is indeed a relationship between expenditure in school uniform and academic performance. Finally, expenditure of school uniform adversely impacts on academic performance of secondary school Students. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made Measures should be put in place by school administrators to ensure that while going after fees defaulters, Students are not forced out of school. Provision of school feeding programs in schools should be made compulsory. Philanthropists should be encouraged in poverty prone areas to assist in the provision of school feeding programs. Parents and communities should be sensitized on the need of their children to acquire education in order to curb the engagement of children in generating additional income to sustain the livelihood of these families. The level of financing of education by the government and other stakeholders should be increased in order to control the rising costs of Education. Finally, change of attitude towards education by parents can motivate and empower Students to work harder and produce better results. Parents have a role to provide the basic needs and proper learning environment.
