CAUSES OF AND REMEDIES TO POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND CHARACTER DECLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The twin problems of poor academic performance and character decline in public secondary schools in Nigeria pose a serious threat to the nation’s achievement of its educational goals and objectives, given the strategic place of secondary education in the nation’s educational system. This paper identifies the probable causes of the problems and proffers solution on how to arrest/redress the seeming albatross around the educational system. The challenge of poor academic performance can be confronted from the dimensions of teacher-factors, student-related factors, family-related factors and society/government-related factors. This challenge can be curbed by, among others, appointing professionally trained guidance and counsellors for all secondary schools. Special incentives should be given to teachers to sustain their (teachers’) positive attitude and commitment to their job. The menace of moral decadence can be confronted by regular and intensive inspection of schools by the Ministry of Education to ensure strict compliance with laid-down regulations regarding curriculum implementation, effective instructional delivery and maintenance of standard of behaviour.