INFLUENCE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ON ACHIEVEMENT OF ADOLESCENT JSS II STUDENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN JOS NORTH, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of juvenile delinquency on the achievement of adolescent JSS II students in Social Studies in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. Four objectives guided the study: to identify the causes of juvenile delinquency among JSS II Social Studies students; to determine the impact of juvenile delinquency on students' achievement in Social Studies; to ascertain the extent to which teaching and learning of Social Studies helps curb juvenile delinquency; and to identify workable measures for minimizing juvenile delinquency in secondary schools. Four corresponding research questions were raised and answered. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population comprised all 2,412 JSS
II Social Studies students in the 23 public secondary schools in Jos North Local Government Area. A representative sample of 300 students and 10 teachers was selected using simple random sampling from ten public and private secondary schools in the study area. Two structured questionnaires were used for data collection: the "Students' Questionnaire on Juvenile Delinquency and Achievement in Social Studies" (SQJDAS) and the "Teachers' Questionnaire on Juvenile Delinquency and Achievement in Social Studies" (TQJDAS). Both instruments were validated by experts and trial-tested, yielding reliability coefficients of 0.71 and 0.79 respectively using the split-half method. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings showed that peer pressure, poor parental supervision, poverty, exposure to violent media, and an unsupportive school environment are the main causes of juvenile delinquency, and that delinquent behavior negatively affects students' achievement in Social Studies. The study also found that the teaching and learning of Social Studies helps curb delinquent tendencies, and identified counselling services, stronger discipline policies, parental involvement, extracurricular activities, and community awareness programs as workable measures for minimizing delinquency. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others, that government and school authorities create more employment opportunities for parents to improve household socio-economic status, thereby reducing the economic pressures that expose adolescents to delinquent behavior.