Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Kwara State

Bolu-Steve Foluke Nike, Falaye Juliiana, Fadipe Rasaq Abimbola

Abstract


The study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance among secondary school students in Kwara State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey of correlation type was adopted for this study.  The target population consisted of secondary school students in Kwara State. Respondents were selected from the three senatorial districts of the state using a multi-stage sampling procedure. A sample of 423 students were selected through the use of proportional, purposive and simple random techniques. The instrument used for this study was a researchers-designed questionnaire titled “Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance Questionnaire” (EIAPQ). Data were analysed using percentage, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), and Correlation Matrix at a 0.05 significance level. The instrument was subjected to reliability test and a coefficient of 0.84 was obtained. The results revealed that students have low level of emotional intelligence and the level of academic performance was equally low. A significant positive relationship was found between emotional intelligence and academic performance (R = 0.210, p < 0.05), as well as between emotional intelligence and gender, age, and school type, but not religion. Academic performance also significantly correlated with gender, age, religion, and school type. The study recommended that students should be exposed to skills that can assist them in handling academic challenges in order to improve their performance in core subjects like English and Mathematics. 


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References


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