EFFECT OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG STUDENTS OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT This study aims at investigating the Effect of Anti-social Behaviours on Students’ Academic Performance in Senior Secondary Schools (A Case Study of Yerwa GGSS). Five research questions and objectives were used to direct the study which include: types of anti-social behaviours engaged by students in senior secondary schools in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria; types of anti-social behaviours engaged by students in senior secondary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria by gender; types of anti-social behaviours engaged by students in senior secondary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria by school type; causes of anti-social behaviours among students in senior secondary schools in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria by school type; and also the effect of anti-social behaviours on students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. The sample population was 1190 respondents from the selected secondary schools in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Area of Borno State, while the selection of the study samples was from the population. The instrument used in collecting the data was a questionnaire; a structured and validated rating scale designed in two sections was the main instrument for the collection of data. The collected data were analyzed and presented in tabular form using various problems and effects of anti-social behaviours among students of secondary schools in Nigeria. The analysis indicated that antisocial behaviours are the harmful and uncooperative actions of people characterized by overt and covert hostility and deliberate aggression towards other individuals. It is perceived that such behaviour occurs due to the result of unsatisfactory psychological, social or emotional development of children at home and under-socialization in the community. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the reasons for antisocial behaviours of male students at secondary level public schools. Through perceptions of the research subjects, major causes of students’ antisocial behaviours were explored and are discussed as under: Teachers can play a vital role in the trajectory of students as well as they are uniquely capable of providing assistance in learning appropriate behaviors and preventing problematic or negative behaviours among students. It was therefore recommended that there should be regular parent-teacher association meetings in the schools where parents and teachers may share their views regarding curricular and co-curricular activities as well as anti-social activities of students; parents should concentrate more on their children's activities inside or outside home, inquire about their peer group in the community and school, share their worries and problems, provide proper educational facilities and financial resources, do not set unachievable aspirations for their children, daily spend some time with their children and also parents who neglect their parental responsibilities should pay more attention towards their children's activities.