S. I. Ugonoh

This study examines the influence of poverty on the academic performance of secondary School students in some selected schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State. The research aims to identify the relationship between poverty and students’ academic performance. The research was carried out as a survey using relevant literature from journals, textbooks, magazine and the internet. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were raised. The sample size of fifty secondary school teachers from five secondary schools was used for the study. Data was collected with the aid of well- structured and valid questionnaire; the data collected were analyzed using simple percentages. The findings showed that there is a significant relationships between academic performance and poverty under feeding conditions, provision of school facilities and equipment and home related factors .The study inferred that poverty affects academic performance of students and the day to day management of the school. From the study it is evident that parents do not have stable sources of income as they don’t pay fees in time. This negatively influences students’ academic performance.

The study investigated the influence of teachers’ qualification on the effective teaching and learning of English in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. The design adopted for this study was the descriptive survey method Four (4) research question were raised to guide this study: Does teacher’s qualification have any influence on students’ academic performance in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State? What impact does teacher’s qualification have on students learning of English Language in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State? Does teachers’ qualification influence the type of instructional methods they apply for teaching English Language? Does teacher’s qualification influence their use of instructional materials for teaching English Language? The population of the study consisted of all public senior secondary school students in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. The sample size for this study was a total number of one hundred and thirty four (134) students who were selected using the simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from respondents. Data collected from the survey was statistically analyzed. After analysis, results were displayed on tables showing frequencies and percentages of responses. From findings of the study, it was revealed that most English teachers are incompetent which in turn affects the academic performance of students. It was also found that a good number of teachers do not make good use of instructional material, modern technological tools and gadgets, varieties of instructional delivery methods, as well as audio-visual resources, students’ academic performance would be improved and enhanced. It was therefore recommended that teachers attend workshops, seminars and other courses in order to equip themselves with new ideas of teaching and as well attain promotion. It was also recommended that government should invest on both teachers and students and make adequate provision for them in all respect.