Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Academic Achievement of Students of Science Colleges in Minna Metropolis of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The decision of Niger State Government to enforce a total lockdown in the State as a response to the Covid-19 Pandemic had deleterious effects on all walks of life including the educational sector. Schools were completely shut down for about eight months and students were out of school for this long. This study investigated the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on academic achievement of Students of Science Colleges in Minna metropolis of Niger State, Nigeria. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Structured questionnaires were issued to 380 students drawn from the six (6) Science Colleges in Minna metropolis and their scores in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in two terminal exams were also obtained. The study showed that the Covid-19 lockdown caused a major interruption on students' learning process which resulted in very poor academic achievement in Biology, Chemistry and Physics after the lockdown. However, the poor achievements in these subjects were neither associated with differences in gender and/or parents' employment status nor variation in subjects. This therefore shows the need for parents/guardians to encourage their children/wards to be emotionally and psychologically ready and not be overwhelmed by the academic task ahead. Teachers should also plan and deliver their lessons using the most simple and understandable methods since most of these students are still trying to recover from the shock of the pandemic. As a very useful preparatory step for future cases of school's lockdown, e-learning should be integrated into the school system in the state.