Dr Ekpenyong Effiong Ibok & Dr Joseph Effiom-Edem Ntibi
Abstract
This study examined the influence of students’ demographic factors on their academic achievements in Mathematics and Physics in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria. Two hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 1000 SS 1 students, out of 10,016 students, was selected from 24 secondary schools for the study using stratified and proportionate simple random sampling procedures. One instrument constructed by the researchers was used for data collection namely: Students Mathematics and Physics Achievement Test. One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test were the statistical techniques adopted to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that students’ age does not significantly influence their academic achievement in Mathematics and Physics, and there was a significant difference between male and female students’ academic achievement in Mathematics and Physics. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others, that Mathematics and Physics teaching and evaluation strategies should be free from gender bias. This will make males and females to see themselves as equal, capable of competing and collaborating in school activities.