School-Related Factors as Predictors of Learning Outcome among Primary School Pupils in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive effects of school related factors on learning outcome among
pupils in selected primary schools where Federal Government in collaboration with state
governments is carrying out an experimental study in Southwest geopolitical zone, Nigeria. The
study adopted a descriptive research design of correlational type. A total number of five hundred
(541) and forty-one pupils in Southwest geopolitical zone with ages ranged from 7±1.5 years with
mean of 8.41 and 3.75 standard deviation were selected using stratified random sampling
technique due to differences in the state of origin and level of monitoring of facilities provided and
the research instrument employed was an adapted questionnaire consisting of demographic
section, and measures of free tuition, free health care, free feeding, scholarship, availability of
teachers, school friendly environment and achievement test on English language and mathematics
was attached for learning outcome (using average score in Mathematics and English language
tests) of the respondents with 0.76 and 0.73 reliability coefficients respectively. The study
answered three research questions using statistical tools like Pearson Product Moment
Correlation (PPMC) and Regression analysis. The findings revealed that there was joint
contribution of the independent variables to learning outcome of primary school pupils in
southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria; R = 0.648, p<0.05. It further revealed that 40.8% (Adj R2
= 0.408, p<0.05) in the pupils’ learning outcome was due to the prediction of the independent
variables. There was significant contribution of all the independent variables. The most potent
contributor to learning outcome was school fee and free health care while other variables had
inverse contribution. Based on this, researcher conclude that government should strive to provide
adequate educational opportunities to the children from inception to enable them have strong
educational background and that at the end both the government and parents will reap the fruits
of their labour..