THE IMPACT OF THE STUDY ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECRETARIAL STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background Of The Study: Throughout the year, there has been a noticeable correlation between environmental factors and their impact on student performance. The quality of the physical learning environment, including factors such as lighting, ventilation, flooring, and noise reduction devices, has a significant impact on student performance. When the classroom is not comfortable, it can lead to unhappiness and mental strain among students. This, in turn, affects their mood, performance, and productivity, ultimately having a negative impact on the institution as a whole. The strategic utilisation of windows, doors, and skylights can greatly enhance the visual appeal and overall aesthetic of a space.

According to Nwosu (1996), in order to enhance performance and productivity in the office, it is important to take into account the condition of the following factors: lighting, cleanliness, and management policies that treat employees, particularly secretaries, with fairness and provide them with recreational facilities. The implementation of these resources for student learning is expected to have a positive impact on their academic performance.

The social learning environment significantly influenced the students' performances. Azuka and Agomuo (1993) argue that the foundation of good human relations is rooted in the biblical principle commonly known as the golden rule, which states that one should treat others in the same way they would like to be treated. The presence of positive human relations between lecturers and students in an educational institution can significantly impact their performance. Conversely, students may experience negative emotions and a lack of motivation in an environment that is not supportive and conducive, ultimately affecting their academic achievements.

The student's performance is significantly influenced by the availability of material resources for learning. The role of a secretary has evolved significantly in modern times, transitioning from primarily focusing on typing documents and shorthand writing to encompassing managerial and administrative responsibilities.  According to Ohakwe, Idih, and Chukwumezie (2002), the secretarial profession has undergone a revolution due to advancements in computer technology. As stated by Biglon and Holmes (1992), computers are specifically designed to assist secretaries in efficiently creating, editing, and generating text. This statement highlights the role of information processing within a broader context. Information processing involves receiving, manipulating, and presenting data in a timely manner. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals to make informed decisions based on the processed information. The implementation of computer technology in schools, particularly in federal polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, has presented a significant obstacle for all students, not just those studying secretarial courses.

The role of school management is crucial in the performance of secretarial students' learning. This is achieved by creating a convenient academic calendar and providing sufficient learning materials to enhance their performance. In order to ensure sufficient and appropriate learning materials, it is crucial for the management to have an accurate count of the number of students to be admitted. In the scenario where classrooms are overcrowded with students and there is a lack of sufficient learning materials, several challenges arise. The performance of individuals will be impacted by it.

However, it has been observed that there is a delay in addressing the issue of certain lecturers not being assigned to their designated positions in a timely manner. When creating a schedule for lecturers, it is important to consider human resources. This means recognising that individuals have limits and can reach a point of saturation when too many lecturers are scheduled at the same time. The students may struggle to understand the material, which could potentially impact their academic performance.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

A close look at some classroom or environment within which secretarial students study in Federal Polytechnic Nekede reveal a great deal of problems and show comings which lead to their low performance. The rate at which we experience deterioration of study environment is so alarming.  This has become a major problem to students, staffs and management of the institution. It has been noted that most secretarial students study in an environment that lack the necessary amenities and conditions such as good lighting systems proper ventilations, comfortable furniture, good human relation and good leadership style. These identities problems constitute the physical, social and management provokes and student learning environment, which if not adequate provided for, affect the performance of secretarial students. The problem of the study therefore is to generate empirical data and document the environmental impacts on the performance of the secretarial students.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The major objective of this study was to identify the effect of study environment on the performance of secretarial students. Specifically it attempts to:

Identify the physical learning environmental under which secretaries’ student in federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri study.

1. Identify the material resources for learning and it effects on the student study in federal polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.

2. Identify the material resources for learning and it effects on the students.    

3. Identify the school management and students learning.

4. Identify the human resources for learning, it’s effects on the students performance.

1.4 Research Question

1. To what extent would physical leaning environment affect the performance of secretarial student?

2. What are the physical learning environments that influence the performance of secretarial students in federal physical Nekede Owerri?

3. How would the availability of material resources for learning affect the performance of secretarial students?

4. How would the school management improve on the learning of secretarial student?

5. To what extent would human resources for learning influence the performance of secretarial students

1.5 Significance of this study

This study is intended to serve as a guide to the management of students’ affairs division, special conditions for effective performance of secretarial students.

It will equally being improvement on the performance of secretarial students that will ultimately lead to higher moral and productivity. It is also intended to serve as reference materials for researchers on the effect good and healthy environment has over the performance of secretarial student. It will be of great important to secretaries students in various levels as well levels as well as other academicians who may embark on researched on this particular may embark on research on this particular subject in future as they keep them in library for consultation.

It will also add to existing idea or theories on students’ condition of study with particular reference to environment and motivation in general.

1.6 Scope of the study

Secretarial students have many problems facing them, but this study is restricted to determining effect of study environment on the performance of secretarial in federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri.