EFFECT OF BROKEN HOMES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, BORNO STATE.

The study assesses the effect of broken homes on the academic performance of secondary school students in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State. Three objectives and three research questions were formulated for the study. The survey type of research design was adopted for this study. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted for the study. Ninety students were randomly selected for the study which consisted of 48 boys and 42 girls. The main instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. Data were obtained from the Instrument which were analyzed using Mean (Averages) and Percentages. These simple statistical tools are suitable for the study as it gives clear and easily comprehendible results from the analysis of the responses collected from the instruments. The results of this study confirm that broken homes have a substantial, though not uniform, impact on students’ academic and psychosocial well-being. Most respondents believe that the absence of stable parental figures hinders students’ academic focus, behavior, and social development. The root causes of broken homes are deeply interconnected, involving economic hardship, infidelity, poor communication, addiction, and cultural expectations. While the study highlights significant challenges faced by students from broken homes, it also uncovers that not all affected students perform poorly. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that schools should provide regular counseling services to support students from broken homes. Trained counselors can help students manage emotional stress, improve study habits, and build healthy peer relationships.