INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE

Background of the Study: The various components of the school environment, such as classrooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories, teacher quality, school management, teaching methods, and peers, have been identified as factors that can influence students' academic achievement (Ajayi, 2001 and Oluchukwu, 2000). Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly examine and effectively oversee the school environment in order to improve students' academic achievements. The poor academic performance of students in Nigeria is a significant concern for various stakeholders, including the government, parents, teachers, and students themselves. The quality of education is influenced by both the teachers' performance in their duties and the effective coordination of the school environment (Ajao, 2001).

The school environment encompasses various aspects such as instructional spaces planning, administrative places planning, circulation spaces planning, spaces for conveniences planning, and accessories planning. Additionally, the presence and involvement of both teachers and students play a crucial role in the teaching-learning process. The potential for improving student learning is influenced by factors such as the specific location within the school, the design of the classroom, and the availability of instructional resources and materials. A well-planned school is thought to have a positive impact on various aspects of education, including social, political, and economic development. It is expected to enhance the teaching and learning process and improve the academic performance of students. The study by Williams, Persaud, and Turner (2008) examines the relationship between international occurrences and various factors that impact students' academic performance. They reference Marsden (2005), who found that a safe and orderly classroom environment, as well as well-equipped school facilities, were significantly associated with students' academic success. According to the three researchers, as cited by Glassman (1994), they argued that creating a comfortable and caring environment, along with other treatments, played a role in enhancing students' academic performance.

The physical attributes of the school have a range of impacts on teachers, students, and the learning process. The presence of poor lighting, noise, high levels of carbon dioxide in classrooms, and inconsistent temperatures can significantly impact the teaching and learning experience. The lack of proper maintenance and inefficient ventilation systems have been identified as factors contributing to the decline in health among both students and teachers. This, in turn, has been linked to decreased academic performance and increased rates of absenteeism (Frazier, 2002 Lyons, 2001; and Ostendorf, 2001). Several factors have the potential to negatively impact student behaviour, resulting in increased frustration among teachers and a decline in students' learning attitudes.

The presence of inadequate facilities not only hampers students' learning abilities, but also contributes to an unfavourable and unwelcoming environment for teachers. This, coupled with challenging student behaviours such as lack of focus, hyperactivity, lethargy, or apathy, results in a stressful working environment for educators. The presence of stress and job dissatisfaction among teachers is often associated with decreased enthusiasm. This suggests that the quality of school facilities may impact students' academic performance.

Several studies have examined the correlation between a subpar school environment and various issues such as student health problems, student behaviour, and student achievement. These studies have specifically looked at factors like student-teacher ratio, school location, school population, classroom ventilation, poor lighting in classrooms, and inconsistent temperatures in the classroom. Some of the sources that have explored this topic include Crandell & Smaldino (2000), Davis (2001), Johnson (2001), Lyons (2001), Moore (2002), Stricherz (2000), and Tanner (2000). The present research aims to analyse the impact of school environment on students' performance in Nigerian schools, building upon previous studies conducted in this field.