THE ROLE OF SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN CREATING EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY OF GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OTUKPO, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the Role of School Principal in Creating Effective Learning Environment: A Case Study of Government Secondary Schools in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria. Principals and teachers and students made up a population of 400 from where a sample of 144 participants was chosen to participate in the study. The study used convergent parallel mixed method research design. A total of 48 participants from three government secondary schools in Otukpo (Government Day Secondary School Otukpo, Government Secondary School Otukpo and Government Technical College, Otukpo). One principal, 15 teachers and 32 students from each of the three chosen schools participated in the study. The study was guided by four research questions: Investigating Factors that affect Learning Environment, The Role of Principals in Creating Effective Learning Environment, Effect of the Physical Environment on Students' Academic Performance; and suggestions on Effective Learning Environment. A self-created instrument for data collection (questionnaire and interview guide) were used to collect data. The respondents' answers to a 28-item questionnaire were collected. Researchers employed closed-ended survey questions to gain a deeper understanding of participants' perspectives on a productive learning environment.  The teacher-student relationship and classroom setting were the two main environmental factors that significantly influenced the academic achievement of children in public schools. There were compelling evidences that the school's amenities, organizational structure and culture; overcrowding, lack of facilities and shortage of skilled teachers. inadequate teaching resources. Based on the foregoing, the researcher suggests that classrooms in schools should be functional and furnished with up-to-date reading materials in order to improve both students' academic progress and teachers' efficiency in classroom activities.