ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students. The study aims to identify the relationship between inflation and academic performance, the effects of inflation on the learning environment in secondary schools, and effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of inflation on student academic performance. The study used a survey research design, and the data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and multiple regressions analysis. The findings show that inflation has a negative impact on various aspects of students' academic performance, affects the learning environment in secondary schools, and leads to increased stress and anxiety among students. The study recommends cost-cutting measures, collaboration with local businesses, online learning programs, counseling services, and increased investment in education to mitigate the negative effects of inflation on student academic performance.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the study
Inflation is an economic phenomenon that results in the general increase in the prices of goods and services over time. It occurs when the demand for goods and services exceeds the supply of goods and services in an economy. Inflation has significant effects on different aspects of the economy, including the education sector. This essay examines the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students.
Inflation can have both direct and indirect effects on the academic performance of secondary school students. The direct effect of inflation is the increase in the cost of education, including school fees, textbooks, and other learning materials. As the cost of education increases, students from low-income families may find it difficult to access education, which may affect their academic performance negatively. According to Onifade and Abereijo (2016), high inflation rates in Nigeria led to a significant increase in the cost of education, which resulted in a decline in enrolment rates in secondary schools.
The indirect effect of inflation on academic performance is through its impact on the general economy. Inflation leads to a decrease in the purchasing power of consumers, which affects the economy negatively. The decline in economic activity may result in job losses and reduced income levels for parents, which may affect the ability of parents to provide financial support to their children's education. This may result in increased dropout rates and reduced academic performance of secondary school students.
Furthermore, inflation may also affect the quality of education in secondary schools. Inflation reduces the amount of resources available for investment in education, including the recruitment of qualified teachers and the provision of quality learning materials. According to Adeyemo and Adeyemo (2018), inflation in Nigeria has led to a decline in the quality of education, resulting in poor academic performance among secondary school students.
Inflation has a significant impact on the quality of education. It affects both the students and the educational institutions, leading to a decline in the quality of education. Firstly, the increase in the cost of living due to inflation affects the ability of parents to pay school fees, buy textbooks, and other educational materials. This results in a decline in the number of students attending school, which affects the quality of education. Secondly, inflation affects the quality of education by reducing the amount of money that educational institutions have for research, staff salaries, and infrastructure development Garg, N. (2019). As a result, there is a decline in the quality of teaching, learning materials, and equipment. Thirdly, inflation affects the motivation of teachers and other staff in educational institutions. This is because inflation leads to a decline in the real value of salaries, which reduces the morale of teachers and affects their productivity Chuku(2017).
- Statement of the Problem
Inflation is a persistent problem in many countries, and its effects can be felt in various aspects of the economy, including education. The rising cost of living, including the cost of basic needs, may impact the academic performance of students, especially those from low-income families. Therefore, the problem addressed in this study is to determine the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the effects of inflation on students' ability to purchase necessary study materials, their attendance in school, and their stress and anxiety levels, which can all affect academic performance. Additionally, this study aims to examine the ways in which inflation affects the learning environment in secondary schools, including the availability of teaching resources, teacher strikes, and overcrowded classrooms, and how these factors impact student academic performance. Finally, this study seeks to identify strategies that secondary schools can implement to mitigate the negative impact of inflation on student academic performance.
- Objectives of the study
The main objective of this study is on Impact Of Inflation On The Academic Performance Of Some Secondary School Students
- To examine the relationship between inflation and academic performance of secondary school students.
- To investigate the effects of inflation on the learning environment in secondary schools and its impact on student academic performance.
- To identify and recommend effective strategies that secondary schools can implement to mitigate the negative impact of inflation on student academic performance.
- Research Questions
- What is the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students?
- How does inflation affect the learning environment in secondary schools, and how does this impact student academic performance?
- What strategies can be implemented by secondary schools to mitigate the negative impact of inflation on student academic performance?
- Scope of the study
This study aims to investigate the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students. The study will be conducted in a selected area and will focus on students JSS1-SS3. The research will cover the effects of inflation on various aspects of student performance, such as attendance, access to study materials, and mental well-being. The study will also explore the strategies that secondary schools can implement to mitigate the negative impact of inflation on student academic performance. The study will not cover the impact of inflation on other stakeholders in the education sector, such as teachers and administrators.
- Significance of the study
The significance of this study on the impact of inflation on the academic performance of secondary school students is multi-faceted. Firstly, the findings of this study will provide insights into the challenges that students face in terms of academic performance due to inflation. This information will be useful to policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders in the education sector who can use it to design strategies and interventions to mitigate the negative effects of inflation on student academic performance.
Secondly, the study will highlight the need for increased investment in education to ensure that students have access to the necessary resources, such as textbooks and other study materials, that are essential for academic success. This can inform policy decisions on education spending and resource allocation.
Thirdly, the study can contribute to the body of knowledge on the relationship between inflation and education, particularly in developing countries where inflation rates can be particularly high. By highlighting the challenges faced by secondary school students in such contexts, this study can inform future research on this topic.
- Limitations of the study
- Sample size: The study may have a limited sample size, which may not be representative of the entire population of secondary school students. As a result, the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.
- Respondent bias: The respondents may not have provided accurate information due to social desirability bias, where they provide answers they feel are socially acceptable or desirable. This may affect the validity of the study.
- Time constraints: The study may have been limited by time constraints, which may have prevented the researchers from gathering more data or conducting a more in-depth analysis.
- Data collection method: The data collection method, such as surveys or interviews, may have limitations such as respondent fatigue, leading questions, or language barriers. These limitations may affect the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.
- External factors: External factors such as current events, economic conditions, or political instability may have affected the study's findings. These factors may have influenced the respondents' perceptions and attitudes towards the impact of inflation on their academic performance.
- Data analysis: The data analysis method used may have limitations such as the inability to account for confounding variables, data cleaning errors, or insufficient statistical power. These limitations may affect the accuracy and reliability of the study's conclusions.
