AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF MASS FAILURE OF STUDENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ATIBA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

ABSTRACT This study examined the causes of mass failure of students in Social Studies in selected secondary schools in Atiba Local Government area of Oyo State. Descriptive survey research design was used to carry out the investigation. The population of the study are the secondary school students from Atiba Local Government area of Oyo State. One hundred and twenty participants were randomly selected from the study area with stratified random sampling technique while the main instrument used is a self-designed questionnaire. The data was analyzed using simple percentage and the result of the investigation revealed that negative peer influence is a major cause of mass failure in Social Studies. It is therefore recommended among others that Government should do the following: 1. Government should include youth in the governance of the nation to serve as motivation for youths in schools and thereby know the value of education. 2. Government should improve teachers’ education by sending teachers to go for short term training in country like Finland where teachers are effectively influencing students’ academic achievement positively. 3. Government should improve the working conditions of Nigerian teachers and make them comfortable and satisfied with the job. 4. There should be conferences, workshops and seminars on teacher self efficacy where experts will educate and enlighten teachers on the need for self-efficacy and its importance to teacher effectiveness. 5. Parents should let the education of their children be number one in their agenda and be ready to give whatever it will take to give the best for it.