PERCEIVED FACTORS DETERMINIG STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN SPORT PROGRAMMES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN JOS EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This paper basically focuses on the perceived factors determining students’ participation in sport programmes in secondary schools in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State. It is worthy to note that secondary schools students need sports knowing well that it has been playing very dynamic roles in the education and welfare of individuals in the society. Sports provide experience that help achieve purposeful living and should therefore form an integral part of the nation’s educational programme. Sport does not exist in a vacuum because it is indispensable to human life. It is part and parcel of the education system. No institution of learning functions well without sports because it plays a very important role in the development of students’ intellectually. Sport is therefore advantageous to the individual, schools and as well as the nation. The paper further revealed the Sports Participation in Secondary Schools, Facilities and Sport Participation, Personnel and Sports Participation, Motivation and Sports participation. Factors such as inadequate sports facilities, equipment/supplies, qualified sports personnel, poor funding, time allotment to sports, motivation of students and negative attitude of were responsible for the poor sports participation and performance of students in secondary schools in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State. The study concluded that Sports facilities form an important variable which determine students’ participation in sports programmes in secondary schools. These facilities is key due to the benefits of sports which include physical development, acquisition of specialized skills, social development, intellectual/mental development, psychological/emotional development, moral development and remediation of defects. Participation in sports by students in secondary schools in Jos East Local Government Area were determined by Sports facilities, equipment and supplies, qualified sports personnel to handle sports programmes, motivation of students/staff and fund. Based on these, the study the researchers therefore made the following  recommendations that Local and State government should bring out policies of special grants to Schools in order to develop their sports facilities and adequate equipment/supplies should be provided by the school authority among others.