ATTITUDE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARD PHYSICS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT This study examined the attitudes of senior secondary school students toward physics in both public and private schools in Borno state metropolis. The main objective is to identify any significant differences in attitudes between the two types of schools and explore the factors that may influence student’s perceptions of the subject. Seven research questions guided the study. A correlational survey research design was for the study. The sample comprised of 435 respondents from both public and private senior secondary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis Borno state. Data was collected using attitude of senior secondary questionnaire. The reliability of coefficient of instruments lay between 0.5 and 0.85 or above and were ascertained using Cronbach's Alpha percentage was used as data analysis techniques. The result of the study revealed that students from private senior secondary schools have more favorable attitude towards physics than students from public secondary schools. The study recommended that the authority concerned should set up a committee that will constantly review the physics curriculum taking note of the changing nature of the society, country and the subject itself. Also, the government should try as much as possible to- encourage students by introducing the best physics student award in the form of scholarship as it is being done in the post-secondary school. In addition, government and private school proprietors should employ qualified and certified physics teachers. Finally, regular seminars, symposiums and workshops should be organized for the students on the relevance of physics to their daily lives.