1.1 Introduction
The academic performance of students is influenced by various factors, and among them, environmental factors play a crucial role. These environmental factors encompass a wide range of elements within and outside the academic setting that can significantly impact students' learning outcomes. One significant aspect of environmental factors is the physical learning environment. This includes factors such as classroom design, lighting, temperature, noise levels, and air quality. In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on investigating the relationship between environmental factors and student academic performance. This attention stems from the recognition that students' educational experiences are not solely shaped by what happens inside the classroom but are also influenced by their surrounding environment. As such, exploring how environmental factors contribute to academic success is vital for creating supportive learning environments that promote positive outcomes for all students. Research has shown that well-designed and comfortable learning spaces can enhance student concentration, engagement, and overall academic performance. Conversely, poor environmental conditions, such as inadequate lighting or excessive noise, can create distractions and hinder learning.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The educational landscape is marked by an increasing recognition of the multifaceted nature of student academic performance. While traditional factors such as teaching quality have long been acknowledged as crucial determinants, recent research has shed light on the significant role played by environmental factors. Intelligence is not the only determinant of academic achievement of a student. Lizzio, Wilson & Simons (2002) noted that academic achievement of a student is most often associated with a lot of components of learning environment. In another perspective, the issue of academic achievement in mathematics has become a focus of many educators. The alarming issue in mathematics could be discussed from the social aspect and each individual point of view (Murugan & Rajoo, 2013). The social aspect includes learning environment which seems to affirm the consistency of relationship between learning environment and students’ cognitive as well as effective outcomes (Ashby, et al, 2011).
Historically, academic performance has often been attributed solely to individual characteristics such as intelligence, motivation, and effort. However, scholars have increasingly emphasized the importance of contextual factors in shaping educational outcomes. This shift in perspective reflects a broader understanding of education as a complex interplay between individuals and their environments. In fact, Frenzel, Pekrun & Goetz, (2007) attributed underachievement in academic as a result of poor learning condition. This also affirmed that most scholars are of the opinion that educational attainment/achievement is likely to be determined by the idealness of the learning environment. Environmental influence before now have not been considered as one of the factors that affect academic performance in secondary schools hence it has little or no attention in educational discourse and consideration. But over the past decade remarkable studies have indicated a correlation between the environment and academic performance of students. Environment plays major role in the life of every individual whether a students, teachers, employer or employee. Though some people are yet to believe that environment brings about better performance.
Studies have shown that environmental factors to a large extent affect both the physical and psychological potentials of an individuals. This has led to the contention that many students fail to develop their potentials due to inadequate environmental stimulation. However, there are some environmental factors which have contributed to this poor performance of students which are home background, inadequate school facilities, misuse of technology such as internet and school climate such as teacher-student relationship etc. Given this situation, the problem of the study therefore is to find out really if these are the main environmental factors that affect the academic performance of secondary schools students in Oyo state.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the educational sector in Nigeria is faced with so many challenges part of which religious, environmental and multi-ethnicity, the major determinant of these problems comes majorly from the environmental factor. Intellect of students is what people majorly think of as the factors that determines the performance of student. Starting school in Nigeria is now a trending business everybody wants to start school even without having any knowledge or experience in education, unemployment is a major factor that affect the growing of non-standard schools in Nigeria, we now see schools built in uncompleted buildings, market areas, non-conducive environments. Some parents now prefer taking their children or ward to those types of schools due to the low fees they will pay.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the environmental factor that affect the performance of students in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To discover those factors that determine the building of non-standard schools in Nigeria;
- To know those environmental factors that determine the performance of students;
- To find out the role of private owned schools on the academic performance of students;
- To discover the role of modern ICT tools on the performance of students in Nigeria; and
- To know the impact of education ministries on equipping government own schools with the right lab and school equipment
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does a modern ICT tool affect the performance of students?
- What environmental factor affects the academic performance of students?
- What re the role played by private schools that affect the performance of secondary students in their SSCE exam?
- What impact does the government has on public schools in Oyo state?
- What are those factors that determine the building of non-standard private owned schools?
1.6 Significance of Study
The main purpose of this study is to expose the parents, government, private school owners and teachers to basic environmental factors that affect the performance of student, also to enable the ministries of education and stakeholders involve in making the policies needed to reduce not up to standard schools.
Furthermore, the findings from the study can inform the development of education policies that address environmental determinants of academic performance. Policymakers can use evidence-based recommendations to allocate resources effectively and implement initiatives aimed at fostering positive learning environments.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the environmental factors as determinant of student academic performance. This study will cover the entire students and schools in Oyo state but samples is taken from five schools, each Schools from five local governments in Oyo state, they are: in Oluyole, Atiba, iseyin, Ibarapa east and ogbomoso north local government area of Oyo state.
1.8 Delimitation of the Study
This study is intended to cover the whole country but due to financial and time constraint it is limited to five Local Government Area in Oyo State. Another major problem is inaccessibility to so major stakeholders affected in this research.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Environment:
Everything around us both living and non-living
Determinant:
Factors that affect the outcome or result of something
Students:
Somebody who is learning or studying in a formal settings to achieve a certain goal.
