VALUE ORIENTATION AND EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between value orientation and educational aspirations of secondary school students in Southwestern Nigeria. It assessed the level of value orientation of secondary school students, examined the influence of value orientation on students educational aspirations, and established the relationship between value orientation and educational aspirations. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised of 926,755 secondary students in 2,131 schools of Southwestern Nigeria. The study selected 342 respondents as sample. Data were collected from secondary school students using structured self-design questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concludes that students who possess positive value orientations toward education tend to demonstrate higher educational aspirations with an average mean of 3.13 (Sd =.729). The chi-square test (χ²=3862.304) (p < 0.05) establishes a statistically significant influence of value
orientation on educational aspirations and the (r=0.759) (p<0.05) finally reflects a powerful positive correlation between value orientation and educational aspirations. The study finally concluded that value orientation significantly influenced the student’s educational aspirations. It was recommended that schools, families, and policymakers promote positive values to enhance student academic ambitions and educational attainment.