IMPACT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of quality assurance on students’ academic performance in public senior secondary schools in Kwara State, Nigeria. To determine the impact of quality assurance on students' academic performance, six (6) research questions and four (4) research hypotheses were developed and put to the test. This study employed a descriptive survey as its research design. The population comprised all the teachers in public senior secondary schools in Kwara State. The sample comprised of 220 respondents who were selected using multistage sampling technique. One researcher-constructed instrument was used to gather data. This was “Quality Assurance Strategies Questionnaire” (QASQ). Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical method to ascertain the objectives of the study. The results showed that public senior secondary schools in Kwara State maintain standards and quality through effective monitoring, supervision and evaluation process. The results also indicated that supervisors inspect public senior secondary schools in Kwara State thrice within a session (57%). The result further proved that there is a significant relationship between quality assurance and students’ academic performance in Kwara State public senior secondary schools (r_cal = 0.681> r_tab = 0.195). The results showed a significant relationship between quality assurance and instruction in Kwara State public senior secondary schools (r_cal = 0.530> r_tab = 0.195). The study concluded that quality assurance has positive influence on students’ academic performance in public senior secondary schools in Kwara State. The study suggested that in order to attain quality standards in the educational system, the government should further enhance quality assurance in Kwara State senior public senior secondary schools. This would significantly raise the caliber, norm, and performance of students in both internal and external examinations.