ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY AKUNGBA AKOKO ONDO STATE

This study investigated the attitude of undergraduate students towards Early Childhood Education and examined how such attitudes influence their academic performance at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. The research was motivated by the increasing concern over students’ disposition to the Early Childhood Education programme, which often determines their level of engagement, motivation, and overall achievement. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Early Childhood Education. Structured questionnaires were administered to elicit information on students’ perceptions, interest levels, and commitment to the course of study. The academic performance of the respondents was measured using their cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and inferential statistics to test the relationship between attitude and academic performance. The findings revealed that students generally demonstrated a moderate to positive attitude towards Early Childhood Education, with many acknowledging its importance in child development and future educational outcomes. However, a portion of the students still perceived the course as less prestigious compared to other fields, which affected their level of motivation. The results further showed a significant relationship between students’ attitudes and their academic performance; students with more positive attitudes tended to achieve higher CGPAs than those with indifferent or negative perceptions. The study concluded that students’ attitudes play a critical role in shaping their academic outcomes in Early Childhood Education. It recommended that university authorities, lecturers, and policymakers should implement strategies such as career orientation, academic counseling, and motivational programmes to enhance students’ perception and interest in the course. Strengthening these areas could contribute to improved academic performance and the overall quality of graduates produced in the field of Early Childhood Education. Keywords: Attitude, Early Childhood, Education, Academic performance, undergraduate students, motivation, Perception, Adekunle Ajasin University.