TEACHER'S COMPETENCY AND PUPILS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE

The main purpose of this study was to investigate Teache_rs’ competency and pupils academic performance in social studies in primary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. To achieve the aim of this study, three research questions and hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. Literature related to the variables under study were reviewed accordingly. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A sample of one hundred and sixty (160) primary school pupils were randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the simple random sampling technique and the sample was 160. The questionnaire and pupils Achievement Test were the main instrument used for data collection. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the test re-test reliability method. Pearson product moment correlation analysis was adopted to test the hypotheses understudy. All hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that information service, teacher motivation and teacher use of instructional materials significantly related to pupils academic performance. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded, that, teacher mastery of the subject has a significant relationship with pupils academic performance, and was recommended among others that government should conduct in-service training for teachers to upgrade their knowledge in their different subject area.