Influence of peer group on the academic performance of secondary school students in Ogbomoso Metropolis of Oyo State

Abstract

Students' academic performance in Mathematics and English has been noted to be low, and peer pressure has been found to be one of the key components of academic achievement. This study examined how peer pressure affected secondary school students' academic performance. The research design used in the study was descriptive survey of correlational type. The population was made up of all the secondary school students in Oyo State's Ogbomoso Area (LGA). Using a random sample technique, twelve public secondary schools from the local government areas of Ogbomoso South and Ogbomoso North were chosen. For the purpose of the study, a sample of 120 senior secondary school class two (SSSII) students was chosen at random. a 16-item self-developed research tool on peer pressure and the students' cumulative academic assessment score record sheet for Mathematics and English. Peer group pressure and academic achievement of secondary school students are significantly correlated, according to the analysis's findings (r-value = 0.819; P. 0.05). The academic performance of male and female differed significantly, with men performing better (calculated t-value = 3.18; p.05). Among other things, it was suggested that instructors and school counsellors help secondary school students learn how to deal with the harmful effects of peer pressure.