Attitude of Nigeria Secondary School Students towards Physical Education as a Predictor of Achievement in the Subject

Abstract

The traditional idea about physical education as jumping and running, and had no academic value have been the opinions of Nigeria parents and public. Physical education as an academic and science subject finds its self on across road. This study ascertained the relationship between secondary school students' attitudes towards physical education and their achievement in the subject. Two instruments were used; Physical Education Achievement Test (PEAT) and Physical Education Attitude Scale (PEAS) for data collection. Three research questions guided the study. 112 physical Education students from 40 secondary schools in the South-South Geo-Political zone (Niger Delta States) of Nigeria (Rivers State, Abia State, Imo State, Akwa Ibom State, Cross River State, Delta State, Edo State and Bayelsa State). The collected data were analyzed using mean score and t-test statistics. It was found that most students exhibit negative attitudes towards physical education while positive relationship was expressed between students' attitudes and their achievement in the subject. Based on the findings, four (4) recommendations were made for an improvement. Some of the recommendations were;

(a)students should not be forced to read subjects or courses that do not interest them.

(b)Teachers of physical education at all levels (primary, post primary and post secondary) should direct more of their effort by developing the right attitudes towards physical education as a science subject.

Keywords: Physical Education Achievement test; Attitudes, physical education attitude scale, science subject, academic value.