Analysis of the Trend of Students’ Achievement in Physics in West Africa Examination Council Organized Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination

Abstract

This study is on analysis of the trend of students’ achievement in physics in West African Examination Council organized Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). The study methodically investigated the trend of students’ achievement in physics in WASSCE in the South east geopolitical zone of Nigeria between 2015 and 2017 years. To conduct the study, the researchers adopted a survey research design of ex-post-facto method. Specifically the study carefully analysed students’ academic achievement in physics within the period of coverage. The sample of the study is made up of all physics students who sat for physics in SSCE in the zone within the period with a total population of one hundred and eleven thousand and twenty seven (111027) students. Four (4) research questions and eight (8) hypotheses guided the study. From the findings of the study, it was seen that while Abia state presented the least number of students entry, Imo state presented the highest number of students’ entry in the zone in physics in SSCE. Secondly, the zone recorded more than average mean percentage achievement in the high grade pass. Ebonyi state was seen to have recorded the least average percentage achievement and as well recorded the highest number of F9 (failure) grade within the period in the zone. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that states should continue to support the teaching of physics in schools with provision of funds in their budgets and ensure its release for science programme implementation. It was also recommended that qualified physics teachers should be attracted to teach physics in schools. Finally, in-service training and other incentives should be provided to physics teachers to motivate them.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-36-04

Publication date: December 31^st 2021