FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE READING EFFICIENCY AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF IMO STATE

Abstract This research was carried out to find out the factors that influence reading efficiency among junior secondary schools in Owerri Municipal. Reading can be defined as a cognitive process that involves decoding symbols to arrives at meaning. It is an active process on constructing meanings of words. Before, reading is seen as an interpretation of written symbols into its mental equivalent while it is seen now as a means of communication ideas, thoughts and feelings to readers in form of letters of alphabet depending on various languages or culture either in individual form as books, journal, tracts etc. or digital forms which is computer language is called self-copies. Pertinent objectives and corresponding research questions was used as a research guide towards identifying the factors that influence reading efficiency among junior secondary school students in Owerri Municipal. The theories that were used in this research were: the cognitive theory and behavoural theory. The design of the study was descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State. The population was made up of all the Junior Secondary School Students in Owerri Municipal Council. Two hundred and thirty four students were purposively sampled. There were ten schools in total. The instrument for the study was likert scale questionnaire type. Four research questions were used for the research. The result was analyzed using frequencies mean and cumulative mean. The results of study have far reaching implications for teachers of language as well as students and curriculum planners. Based on the implications, recommendations were made and suggestions for further studies were included.