RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN SABON GARI, KADUNA STATE

The researchers examined the relationship between Anxiety and Academic Performance of primary school pupils in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State. Three research objectives and three corresponding research questions guided the study, focusing on anxiety levels, contributing factors and academic outcomes. A descriptive survey design was adopted to enable the researchers to collect and analyze pupils’ anxiety levels and academic performance. The sample for the study comprised of One hundred and sixty (160) primary school pupils drawn from eight (8) schools out of twenty (20) schools in the study area using simple random sampling techniques. The instruments for data collection were structured questionnaires, and the responses were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results revealed a high prevalence of anxiety among primary school pupils in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State. The study also identified several academic-related factors that contribute to anxiety among these pupils. The findings suggest that anxiety during primary education may have long-term implications for pupils’ academic progression.  The study recommends that government, schools, teachers, counselors, and parents implement mental health awareness programs to reduce stigma, improve understanding of anxiety, and encourage help-seeking behaviors among pupils.