GENDER, SELF-ESTEEM AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN CHEMISTRY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ABA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Gender, self-esteem and academic achievement on secondary school students in Chemistry in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State. To achieve this purpose, five hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Literatures were reviewed so as to give the study the necessary foundation. Ex-post facto design was adopted for the study. A total sample of 300 respondents were selected for the study using simple random sampling technique. The student Chemistry achievement test (SCAT) with reliability coefficient of 0.75 and self-esteem questionnaire (SEQ) with reliability coefficient of 0.63 were the main instruments used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed with independent t test statistic to test the statistical significance of the five null hypotheses at .05 level of significance with critical values and degrees of freedom. The result of the analysis revealed that there was no significant influence of social self-esteem, physical self-esteem and family self-esteem on academic achievement of students. It was deduced from the result of the analysis that there was a significant influence of academic self-esteem on academic achievement of students. Lastly, it was confirmed that there was no significant difference between the achievement of male and female Chemistry students. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made to improve students’ self-esteem and academic achievement, which includes employment of school counsellors by the Government; teachers setting expectations within the abilities of their students; creating a link between the family, school, community and social service agencies to cater for the needs of the students, and so on.