QUALITY OF FACILITIES AND SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AKOKO SOUTHWEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The conditions of facilities in Nigerian schools vary widely, with many institutions facing significant challenges. Issues include unhygienic classrooms, insufficient infrastructure and poorly maintained furniture. It is indicated that maintenance practices are often inadequate, leading to depreciation in facilities and negatively affecting the learning environment. This study, therefore examined the quality of facilities and effectiveness in public secondary schools in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 500 teachers and 18 principals in public secondary schools in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria sampled for the study. The sample consisted of 132 respondents comprising 120 teachers and 12 principals which were selected using multi-stage sampling procedure. Two self-designed questionnaire titled "Quality of Facilities Questionnaire (QFQ)" and "School Effectiveness Questionnaire (SEQ)" were used for data collection. The instruments were validated and tested for reliability and the reliability coefficient of 0.79 and 0.82 were gotten for QFQ and SEQ respectively. Four research questions were raised and answered using descriptive statistics of frequency count, percentage and mean while four hypotheses were formulated and tested using Regression Analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that the level of adequacy of facilities and level of maintenance of facilities were moderate (x = 2.25 and 2.49) respectively, and the level of utilization of facilities was moderate (x = 2.87). Also, the level of school effectiveness was moderate (x = 2.60). Findings also revealed that there was a significant contribution of the quality of facilities and school effectiveness (F = 1.743, p = 0.043 < 0.05 there was no significant relationship between maintenance of facilities and school effectiveness (r = 0.269, p = 0.398 > 0.05). Based on the findings, it was concluded that quality of facilities in the public secondary schools in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria examined in terms of their adequacy, utilization, and maintenance is at a moderate or average level. It was recommended education stakeholders ensure that schools are provided with adequate and functional facilities that meet the needs of both students and staff. Also, Schools administration continue to prioritize regular and preventive maintenance as part of responsible facility management.