Alice Etim Echu & Margaret Sylvanus Umoh
Abstract
Socio-demographic variables and students’ reading habits were explored using respondents from public secondary schools in Calabar education zone of Cross River State. Research design adopted for this study was Ex-post facto. The population of the study was 13,250 students. A sample of 703 respondents was selected for the study, from 24 public schools in the study area using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Three hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. The instrument used in collecting data for the study was questionnaire. Face validity was established by three experts. The reliability coefficient of 0.76 was established through Cronbach alpha reliability method. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test analysis were the statistical tools used to test the hypotheses under study. The result of the analysis revealed that, gender, age and parental level of education significantly influenced the reading habit of secondary school students in Calabar education zone. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that irrespective of family size, students should be given conducive atmosphere to read and avoid distractions from family members. Also parents should invest in the children’s educational advancement by purchasing reading textbook that is age appropriate and gender balance.