Comparative Analysis of Public and Private School Students’ Academic Performance in Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor academic performance of students in Islamic Studies, particularly among public and private schools seems to be rampant and concerned to all and sundry. This paper investigated comparative analysis of public and private school students’ academic performance in Islamic Studies in Kwara State, Nigeria. Causal-comparative research type known as “ex post facto” research method was used for this study. All ninety one (91) public and private senior secondary schools in Ilorin south constituted the population. Stratified sampling technique was used to select four public and private senior secondary schools. One hundred and sixty (160) senior secondary Islamic Studies students III were selected using simple random sampling technique. Students’ academic performance test in Islamic Studies was used to determine their performance. The instrument was validated through face and content validity and reliability index yielded 0.68. Three hypotheses were postulated and tested using t-test statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that a significant difference existed between public school male and female Islamic Studies students' academic performance in Ilorin South. Based on the finding, it was recommended among others that only competent and trained Islamic Studies teachers should be allowed to handle the subject and not just a mere believer. It was also recommended that students, irrespective of their gender should be exposed to conducive environment in the teaching and learning of Islamic Studies in order to facilitate better performance.