Perceived Teacher Competence as Correlate of Students’ Academic Performance in Bauchi State

Abstract

This paper intends to examine the relationship between perceived teacher competences as correlate of students’ academic performance in Bauchi State.  Three objectives and three hypotheses guided the study.  They sought to establish relationship between teachers’ attitude to work and students’ academic performance, teachers’ knowledge of subject matter and students’ academic performance, and teachers’ teaching skills and students’ performance.  The population of the study is 84,319,000 out of which a sample of 384 was chosen using cluster and proportionate sampling techniques.  Two designs were adopted for use which include survey and correlation designs.  Data was generated using a researcher constructed questionnaire. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation technique was used in the data analysis.  The findings of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between teachers’ positive attitude to work and students’ academic achievement. r = 0.793, p < 0.05, there is a significant relationship between teachers’ qualifications and students academic achievement. r = 0.650, p < 0.05.  Also, there is a significant positive relationship between teachers’ leadership style and students academic achievement, r – 0.606, p < 0.05.  Among the recommendations given was that governments as employers of teachers should ensure that knowledge of the subject matter is given high premium during interview and selection of new teachers.