SOCIAL MILIEU AS A PREDICTOR OF SCIENCE STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

Social milieu as a predictor of science students’ academic performance in Awka south LGA of 
Anambra State, Nigeria is guided by the three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses 
tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a correlational research design. Population 
of the study comprise of 2126 senior secondary two (SS2) students’ with a sample size of 180  students by proportionate stratified random sampling technique drawn from 19 government-owned 
senior secondary schools in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. A structured questionnaire by 
the researchers was used to collect data from the students’. The instrument was validated by 
experts in Science Education and Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability of the instrument 
was established using Cronbach Alpha method and a reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. 
Data were distributed and collected on the spot. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS data 
analysis output. The findings of the study revealed moderate positive relationship between the 
predictive values of family background and peer interaction on secondary school science students’ 
academic performance. Also, there exists a low positive relationship between school environment 
and students’ academic performance in science. It was recommended among others that effort be 
made in addressing the social milieu factors to enhance secondary school science students’ 
academic performance. This involves empowering students through awareness programs, 
equipping parents with workshops and engagement initiatives and providing teachers with training 
and development opportunities.