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Academic performance and intelligence quotient of primary school children in Enugu


Uzoamaka Chinenye Akubuilo
Kenechukwu Kosisochukwu Iloh
Justus Uchenna Onu
Adaeze Chikaodinaka Ayuk
Agozie Chukwunedum Ubesie
Anthony Nnaemeka Ikefuna

Abstract

Introduction: intellectual capacity measured as intelligence quotient (IQ) is one of the determinants of school performance of children. It influences academic achievement, future personal health, social well-being and therefore, is of public health significance. The objectives of the study was to determine the intelligence quotient (IQ) and academic performance of primary school children in Enugu-East LGA.


Methods: children who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from both public and private primary schools in the Local Government Area (LGA) using a proportionate multistage sampling technique. Academic performance was classified into high, average and low academic using past records of class assessment. Intelligence Quotient was assessed using the Raven´s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) and was grouped into optimal and suboptimal. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data such as-age, gender, socio-economic indices and family size of the study participants. Analysis was done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS).


Results: a total of 1,122 pupils aged 6 to 12 years were recruited. Optimal IQ and high academic performance was found in 54.0% and 58.8% of the study participants. Being from upper social class, in private school, and family size less than 4 were the significant determinants of high IQ and good academic performance (p<0.001).


Conclusion: low socio-economic status, large family size and public school attendance impact negatively on IQ and academic performance. Hence, measures to curb large family sizes (i.e.>4 children) and improve the socio-economic status of families are needed environmental measures to improve intelligence and academic performance.


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eISSN: 1937-8688