Influence of Peer groups on Academic Performance of Students in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri

Abstract

This study investigated influence of Peer groups on the Academic Performance of students in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri. Descriptive research survey design was used for this study. One research question and one hypothesis guided this study. The population of this study is 500 which comprised 250 males and 250 females’ of 2022/2023 final year students of Alvan Ikoku federal University of Education Owerri. Sample size of this study is 150 obtained by collecting samples of 75 male and 75 female final year students using stratified sampling technique. Researcher developed questionnaire “titled influence of Peer groups on the Academic Performance of students in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri was used. The instrument was validated by two experts from Madonna University Anambra state. Reliability coefficient of this study was ascertained using Cronbach alpha. Coefficient of reliability indices were 0.87 and 0.97. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data, test statistics were used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 alpha level. The findings from this study revealed that peer groups have helped students to acquire skills and knowledge that helped them to pass their end of semester examinations. The study also revealed that students acquired ready culture and good characters that are recognized in the school and in the society where they students come from.  It was recommended from this study that teachers and student counsellors should sensitize students on peer teaching. This would enable students to pass their examinations. It was also recommended from this study that lecturers and university students should counsel students that are performing very poorly in their academics. This would enable slow learners to measure up with their mates during learning and examinations.