Author(s)

David Omoike Idenyenmhin^*, S. O. Nwafor

Affiliation(s)

Department of Educational Management and Planning, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author

David Omoike Idenyenmhin

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine merits of safety practices within school culture management for improved academic achievement in rural public secondary schools in Rivers West Senatorial District. Employing a descriptive survey design, the research targeted a population of 1,520 school staff, including 97 administrators and 1,423 teachers. A sample size of 400 participants was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, with a two-stage sampling technique integrating both stratified and disproportionate sampling methods. The final sample comprised 90 principals and 310 teachers from eight Local Government Areas (LGAs): Abua–Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Bonny, Degema, and Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni. Data were collected through the Merits of Safety Practices within School Culture Management Questionnaire (MSPSCMQ), which underwent rigorous validation by experts and comprised 15 items distributed across three sections. Reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.78. Of the distributed questionnaires, 305 were returned, yielding an overall response rate of 76.25%. The study utilized mean scores and standard deviation to address research questions while hypotheses were tested using z-tests. Findings indicated significant inadequacies in safety practices affecting students' academic performance, leading to recommendations for comprehensive safety training, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced counseling services. The study underscores the imperative need for a holistic approach to safety in rural public secondary schools to foster a conducive learning environment.

KEYWORDS

Safety practices; School culture management; Rural public secondary schools

CITE THIS PAPER

David Omoike Idenyenmhin, S. O. Nwafor. Merits of safety practices within school culture management for improved academic achievement in rural public secondary schools in rivers west senatorial district. World Journal of Educational Studies. 2024, 2(4): 6-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/wjes3009.

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