This study examines the gap between curriculum design and classroom practice in Nigerian secondary schools, with a focus on understanding the challenges that hinder effective curriculum implementation and identifying strategies to bridge this gap. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 198 teachers and educational administrators across five selected secondary schools—Federal Government College, Enugu; Queen’s College, Lagos; Government Secondary School, Kano; Christ the King College, Onitsha; and Anglican Grammar School, Ibadan—through structured online questionnaires administered via Google Forms. The data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, mean, and standard deviation to determine trends in teachers’ understanding of curriculum objectives, classroom practices, and the challenges they face. Findings indicate that while teachers generally have a high understanding of curriculum objectives, the actual implementation of learner-centered and practical teaching methods is moderate, largely due to large class sizes, inadequate instructional resources, and limited professional development opportunities. Respondents highlighted the importance of strategies such as in-service training, provision of instructional materials, collaborative teaching, and regular monitoring to improve curriculum enactment. The study concludes that bridging the curriculum-practice gap requires coordinated efforts at both teacher and systemic levels to enhance the quality and effectiveness of education in Nigeria. Read more

This study examined the impact of education policy implementation on quality assurance in public secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria. The research adopted a survey design, targeting principals, vice-principals, and teachers across the six education zones of the state. A total of 383 questionnaires were distributed, of which 378 were returned and analyzed, representing a response rate of 98.7%. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, specifically mean scores and standard deviations. The findings revealed that while education policies are generally well communicated, their implementation—particularly in areas such as teacher training, resource allocation, and supervision—was only moderate. Quality assurance practices, including classroom observation, performance monitoring, and adherence to curriculum standards, were present but varied across schools. Respondents further indicated that effective policy implementation positively influences teaching quality, student performance, and institutional accountability. Key challenges identified included insufficient funding, inadequate training, irregular supervision, and weak communication. The study concluded that education policy implementation plays a critical role in enhancing quality assurance, and that addressing implementation gaps could significantly improve educational outcomes in public secondary schools. Read more

This study aimed at examining the extent of the need for Vocational guidance in Secondary schools in Imo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The population for the study was made up of 105 students randomly selected from 98 public secondary schools across the three education zones in Imo State. Five research questions guided the study. A questionnaire named (ENVGSS) extent of Need for Vocational Guidance in secondary school was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three experts from the Department of Measurement and Evaluation, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, and the instrument yielded .82,.95, .85, .93, and .92, which means that the instrument measured what it supposed to measure. It was recommended that students should be provided with adequate Vocational guidance to enable them to acquire enough occupational information so as to enable them to make correct occupational choices and decisions. It was concluded that vocational guidance should be provided adequately to secondary school students in the Imo state of Nigeria. Read more

The study examined the implementation of school safety policy and the role of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in secondary schools across Katsina State, Nigeria. A sample of 215 PTA members was selected using multistage sampling techniques from all secondary school PTAs in Katsina State. Descriptive survey design and structured questionnaire were adopted in collecting data on awareness, threats, information sources and compliance across state's three senatorial districts (SD). Frequency counts, percentages, means, PPMC, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis were employed in data analysis. Findings indicated that PTA members were generally of prime age with adequate education. Significant disparities in awareness levels were observed among the senatorial districts (SD) with Katsina South (KS) lagging behind. High levels of security threats existed across the districts. Radio and television emerged as crucial awareness sources, in Katsina Central (KC) and Northern (KN). Compliance with safety roles varied across districts, with KC and KN showing higher engagement compared to southern district. ANOVA result revealed significant variations in safety roles compliance among districts, with KC demonstrating highest mean compliance. Regression analysis indicated that age negatively impacted compliance, while experience, awareness and information sources, positively influenced adherence to safety roles. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing gaps in role compliance. It recommends prioritizing interventions for areas with low compliance rates. Read more

This paper examined the level of usage of emerging technologies in the teaching and learning of Social Studies in secondary schools in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The paper maintained that teaching and learning are crucial in any educational endeavour, and Social Studies is an indispensable component of the school curriculum that requires the best, modern technological approach in its pedagogical process. The study was anchored on Bruner’s theory of instruction and survey research design. The population comprised all Social Studies teachers in public secondary schools in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State. This amounted to 234 teachers and 1855 students in five local government education authorities (LGEA). Using stratified and simple random sampling technique, three LGEAs were selected from which 72 teachers and 282 students were chosen for the study. A structured and validated questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. Data was analysed using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation. Result showed that only very few teachers and students were aware emerging technologies and the utilisation in the study area. The major challenge in the use of emerging technologies is unavailability and inaccessibility of resources to procure and operate the technologies. It was recommended that faculties and colleges of education should provide adequate teacher-education training to enhance teachers’ capacity to use emerging technologies in schools. Read more

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and the algebraic problem-solving ability of secondary school students in Sokoto state, Nigeria. 100 respondents were used as the sample for the survey at two secondary schools in Sokoto, Nigeria. The targeted respondents were the senior secondary two (SSII) students. The findings of the study showed that there is a moderate relationship between the emotional intelligence of the students and their algebraic problem-solving ability. It was also discovered that male students have a low relationship in their emotional intelligence and algebraic problem-solving ability compared to female students whose emotional intelligence and algebraic problem-solving ability were found to be moderate. Read more

The study critically examined the influence self-esteem on students’ academic performance in physics in senior secondary schools in Port-Harcourt Local Government Area. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of self-esteem on the academic performance of students with respect to gender. Three research questions and one hypothesis were posed to guide the study to find out the relationship between students’ self-esteem and their academic achievement. The instruments used for the study include a standardized questionnaire developed by Rosenberg (1965), titled “Rosenberg self esteem scale”, and Physics Achievement Test (PAT) developed by the researcher. This test comprised 50 multiple choice questions which cover subjects from SSS1 to SSS3. The PAT was subjected to a validation process and the reliability coefficient obtained was 0.88 through Kuder-Richardson 21. The findings of the study showed that 68 percent of the respondents have low self-esteem while 32 percent are high self-esteemed students. The mean difference (10.04) showed that students with low self-esteem performed poorly compared to students with high self-esteem. The hypothesis revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between the two variables under study, that is students’ self-esteem and their academic performance in physics. The study recommended that physics teachers should recognize the level of each of the students’ self-esteem. Teachers should also allocate time to raise the level of students’ self confidence before teaching difficult topics in Physics. Read more

Introduction: Corona virus disease affects all segment of present-day society regardless of age, sex and societal status as well as environment. Objective: This article explored possible measures that would prevent the spread of COVID-19 in elementary and secondary school environments. Method: A qualitative study utilizing exploratory descriptive approach. Online social media platforms-were exploited for data collection with voluntary, yet eligible 36 participants drawn from the teaching and healthcare fields between 1st of April to 4sht of May 2020. Data analysis: Participants` responses were transcribed verbatim and a line-by-line thematic analysis was conducted to identify emerging themes. Finding: Five themes and thirteen (13) sub-themes emerged namely: Preventive measures: awareness and knowledge creation: effective information and management system: availability of drugs and other amenities: monitoring and evaluation. Conclusion: If the aforementioned measures are adopted, though COVID-19 will leave with mankind as other infectious diseases for a period until science can discover means to eradicate, the fast spreading rate will be reduced to a very low ebb and educational activities would be uninterrupted, since there would not be further closure of elementary and secondary schools in Bayelsa State. Read more

This study investigates school plant maintenance and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Bayelsa state. The correlational survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study was eighty-two thousand, five hundred and eighty-two (82,582) students of the 191 public secondary schools in the eight (8) Local government areas of Bayelsa state. A sample of 300 students was drawn from 12 schools, having a total population of 5120 students was sampled for this study. The instrument that was used for data collection in this study was a self-structured 4-point Likert Scale Modified questionnaire titled: School Plant Maintenance and Students Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools Questionnaire. (SPMSAPPSSQ). A test–retest method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. The two sets of scores were computed using Pearson product moment correlation to determine the reliability index value 0.72 while the hypothesis is at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of this study revealed that maintenance of a blackboard helps the students to see clearly, thereby enhancing their academic performance; the maintenance of ICT building enables students to take part in ICT classes effectively and that steady maintenance of the library makes it possible for reliable and current books to be available for students to study widely. The study concludes by establishing the relationship between school plants maintenance and students’ academic performances in public senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State and recommended that government and schools board should often investigate the level of fitness and stability of school plants and embark on renovation and replacement of dilapidated and worn-out facilities in order to promote students’ academic performances. Read more