Assessing the Influence of School Infrastructure on Academic Achievement Among Public Secondary School Students in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of school infrastructure on the academic achievement of public secondary school students in Abuja, Nigeria. Its main objective was to assess the extent to which school infrastructure affects students’ academic performance within this context. Notwithstanding ongoing policy initiatives aimed at expanding access to secondary education in Nigeria, persistent concerns remain regarding the quality of students’ learning outcomes, particularly in public secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja. Among the critical factors contributing to this challenge is the state and adequacy of school infrastructure, which has received relatively limited attention. The study population comprised 91,269 individuals, from which a proportionate sample of 367 respondents was drawn to ensure adequate representation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. To establish the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.75. The results revealed that the availability of adequate and well-maintained school infrastructure has a significant positive effect on students’ academic achievement and overall learning outcomes. In contrast, overcrowded classrooms were found to have a detrimental impact on students’ performance. Based on these findings, the study concluded that school infrastructure constitutes a vital determinant of academic achievement in public secondary schools. Consequently, it was recommended that government and educational authorities should give priority to the provision and continuous maintenance of essential school infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and instructional materials, to IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io improve academic outcomes. Furthermore, both government and Non-Governmental Organizations should implement measures to alleviate classroom congestion through the construction of additional classrooms and effective management of student enrolment in public secondary schools. Key Words: School Infrastructure, Academic Achievement, Public Secondary School, Students, Abuja

Keywords

References