EFFECT OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON STUDENTS’ CLASS ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of fuel subsidy removal on students’ class attendance and academic performance in Ondo State. The attendance rate of the students in the class is important as students are more likely to improve in their academic performances when they attend classes regularly The fuel subsidy removal has affected so many sectors which include agricultural sector, educational sector among others. The class attendance of students has been greatly affected by this measures which can make a lot of student even drop out of school. Cost of transportation has affected the rate of class attendance as student who stays far from school find it difficult to attend classes, most student who sponsored themselves to school finds it difficult to attend classes as they go for daily job to get themselves back to school, while some parents are finding it difficult to get fund to their children in the secondary schools. Conceptual review, theoretical review as well as related empirical studies by some researchers on the effect of fuel subsidy removal on students’ class attendance and academic performance were also examined. Descriptive survey research design was used to carry out the research. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. One hundred (100) students were selected from five different secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. A total number of twenty (20) students were selected from each secondary school. The data collected from the respondent was analyzed using statistical tools of tables, charts, mean score and standard deviation while t-test was used to test the hypotheses of the study. The study revealed a significant relationship between fuel subsidy removal and students' academic performance in secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area, showing that subsidy removal reduces access to extracurricular activities and essential resources, hinders educational aspirations, and lowers student engagement and participation in academic and extracurricular activities. Also, the study found a significant relationship between fuel subsidy removal and students' class attendance, revealing that the increased cost of transportation due to subsidy removal reduces students' financial ability to afford commuting, contributes to higher absenteeism, influences decisions to skip classes, and diminishes regular class attendance commitment. Furthermore, the findings of the study revealed a significant difference in the impact of subsidy removal on students' attendance and academic performance based on socioeconomic status. It significantly impacts their attendance, participation in academic activities, and overall academic performance of students from low-income status, while higher-income students experience fewer disruptions. Based on the findings of the study, it was therefore recommended that the government should introduce targeted interventions, such as transportation subsidies or student fare discounts, to alleviate the transportation costs imposed by fuel subsidy removal. Also, there is a need for financial assistance programs, such as grants or scholarships, for students from low-income families to help them afford essential educational materials and resources.