IMPACT OF BROKEN HOMES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Everyone, especially children, struggles with broken households, which affects their cognitive development and academic achievement. The study investigated the effects of broken homes on academic performance among secondary school pupils in Alimosho, Lagos State. An independent t-test with a significance threshold of 0.05 was used to analyse five hypotheses in the study, which followed a descriptive technique. The study employed a self-designed questionnaire known as the "Broken Homes on Academic Performance Questionnaire (BHAPQ)" with a reliability value of 0.73. Five schools were chosen using stratified sampling, and 150 participants (75 males and 75 females) were selected using systematic sampling. The study's findings indicated that students in senior secondary school who came from broken households had significant effects on their academic performance, classroom interactions, cognitive development, and social adjustment. A considerable gender variation in the social adjustment among the students from family was established. In light of the study's findings; parents should stay with their children to ensure their well-being. Furthermore, to minimise the impact on academic achievement, the school's counselling team should be well-prepared to cope with pupils from broken homes.