ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING RESOURCES ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENUE SOUTH, NIGERIA

This study assessed the influence of teaching resources on the educational outcomes of students in secondary schools in Benue South, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the availability, adequacy, and utilization of teaching resources, and the extent to which these factors influence students’ educational outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised teachers and students in public and private secondary schools in Benue South Senatorial Zone. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of teachers and students from selected secondary schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by experts in educational management and curriculum studies. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach’s Alpha method, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.70 and above. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency counts, and percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that teaching resources were generally available in secondary schools in Benue South, though their adequacy varied across schools. Teachers were found to utilize available resources to a considerable extent; however, utilization of ICT-based resources was relatively low. Students’ educational outcomes were above average in schools with better availability and utilization of teaching resources. The study further revealed a significant positive relationship between availability, adequacy, and utilization of teaching resources and students’ educational outcomes. The combined influence of these variables significantly predicted students’ educational outcomes. Major challenges identified included inadequate funding, poor ICT infrastructure, large class sizes, and insufficient teacher training. The study concluded that effective availability, adequacy, and utilization of teaching resources are critical determinants of students’ educational outcomes in secondary schools. It therefore recommended improved funding for schools, regular provision and maintenance of teaching resources, capacity building for teachers on resource utilization, and enhanced integration of ICT in teaching and learning to improve educational outcomes in secondary schools in Benue South, Nigeria.