IMPACT OF ECONOMIC DEPRESSION AND POVERTY ON UNDERGRADUATE CHEMISTRY EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of economic depression and poverty on undergraduate Chemistry Education students’ academic achievement in Plateau State. Five research questions guided the study. The study employed the survey design. Three hundred (300) Chemistry Education students from two universities that offer Chemistry Education as a course constituted the sample of the study. A structured 32-item, four-point rating scale questionnaire, title “Impact of Economic Depression and Poverty on Undergraduate Chemistry Education Students’ Academic Achievement Questionnaire (IEDPUCESAA)”, constructed by the researcher, was used to collect data for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions. The study found that economic depression and poverty affect undergraduate Chemistry Education students’ academic achievement in the universities in Plateau State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that Chemistry Education students’ achievement is an essential aspect of educational system that cannot be overlooked. It is however, affected by economic depression and poverty. It was recommended, among others, that the key stakeholders in education, namely, private school proprietors, government, cooperate bodies, organizations, companies, associations, missionary bodies, individuals and communities, as well as school administrators, should rise up to this challenge, so that the yearnings of the students who are tomorrow’s Chemistry teachers or leaders are effectively met.