Impact of Insecurity on the Academic Performance of Basic Technology Students

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of insecurity on the academic performance of Basic Technology students in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 345 students, comprising 109 males and 236 females. A self-structured,  questionnaire was designed for the study. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the investigation. The major findings revealed that insecurity in the school environment significantly impacts the academic performance of Basic Technology students. Factors contributing to insecurity included student gangsterism, smoking of Indian hemp, abuse of hard drugs, involvement in cult activities, and other antisocial behaviours. These issues often lead boys to leave school and engage in trading, while girls may drop out and opt for early marriage. Based on the findings, several recommendations were made. It was suggested that school owners and other education stakeholders should take proactive measures such as perimeter fencing and securing school environments from intruders to ensure the safety of both staff and students. Additionally, school administrators should adopt appropriate security measures and effectively manage the teaching-learning environment to mitigate these challenges.