AN ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to examine the problems of school management and students' academic performance in secondary schools using 10 selected secondary schools in Calabar, Cross Rivers as case study. Specifically, the study was aimed at identifying school factors which affect students' academic performance in the study area, investigate the extent to which those factors affect secondary students’ academic performance in Calabar, and examine the impact of disciplinary control, classroom management, and teacher motivation on the academic performance of secondary students.. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 259 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings revealed that the school factors which affect students' academic performance in Calabar are Class room management, Teaching techniques, School environment, Class population, Lack of instructional material, Unqualified teachers, Lack of motivation, Lack of discipline. The findings also revealed that the identified factors have affected secondary students’ academic performance in Calabar to a very high extent. Furthermore, the findings revealed that disciplinary control, classroom management, and teachers’ motivation influence secondary students’ academic performance. The study therefore recommends that teachers should establish rules and regulations in the classroom against disruptive behavior. Teachers should always pay attention to their classroom management skills so that it affects students’ academic performance positively. Also, teachers should give academic assistance to students during lesson delivery. Moreso, the government should ensure that teachers are adequately motivated through regular payment of salaries, promotion, allowances, and improved condition of service. Secondary school managers should ensure that intrinsic or extrinsic rewards such as praises or gifts are awarded to deserving teachers for their outstanding performance.