Discussion of Findings
The result of main hypothesis revealed that there was significant relationship between teachers’ quality and students’ academic performance. This finding is in line with Ijaiya (1998) who stated that improving the quality of the teaching force in schools is seen as the key to raising students’ achievement. This implies that, students’ academic performance is based on the quality of teachers. Lassa (2000) concluded that education cannot be provided by just anybody, it requires a qualified and competent teacher who plans and delivers the lessons or instruction in such a way that objectives can be achieved. Campbell (2004) investigated that that teachers’ quality in the areas of teaching methods, teacher expectations, teacher academic qualification, classroom organization and use of classroom resources have good impacts on on students’ academic performance.
The result of hypothesis one indicated that there was significant relationship between teachers’ academic qualifications and students’ academic performance in geography. Busn and Oduro (2005) stressed that teacher factors have an effect on academic performance of students in terms of the number of teachers on post, teacher pupil ratio, teacher qualifications and the personal characteristics of the individual teacher. Huang and Moon (2009) stated that teacher academic qualification accounted for approximately 40 to 60 percent of the variance in average of students’ achievement in assessment in the classroom. Maundu (2001) concluded stated that a significant correlation existed between teacher academic qualification and students’ performance. The good performance was attributed to excellent instructions given by qualified teachers in addition to other inputs.
The result of hypothesis two revealed that there was significant relationship between teachers’ years of teaching experience and students’ academic performance. This finding is in line with Owolabi (2007) who stated that government should find all possible means to retain veteran and experienced teachers who are still willing to serve so that they can contribute their wealth of teaching experience to improving the system in order to enhance students’ academic performance. Gibbons, Kimmel and O’ Shea (1997) stated that students taught by more experienced teachers achieved at a higher level, because their teachers have mastered the content and acquired classroom management skills to deal with different types of classroom problems. Also, Phillips (2000) found that teaching experience had a significant positive effect on elementary student achievement among teachers during their first seven years of teaching.
The result of hypothesis three revealed that there was significant relationship between teachers’ exposure to in- service training and students’ academic performance. This finding is in line with Creemers (2001) who emphasized that teachers involved in in-service training were more effective in classrooms as compared to teachers who had not undergone training. This implies that, continuous of teachers’ in- service training would improve students’ academic performance. Waters (2006) found that strengthening pre-service and in-service training of teacher training programs would help novice teachers in order to enhance students’ academic performance.
The result of hypothesis four revealed there was significant relationship between teachers’ professional qualification and students’ academic performance. This is in line with Leino (1998) who stated that continuing in the process of teachers’ professional qualification finally reaching the status of demonstrating competence and passion on the quality of teachers. Fessler and Christensen (1991) found more enthusiasm and commitment teaching jobs among teachers is determined by the level of professional qualification. Wallace (1991) found that effective teachers’ professional qualification enhances mentoring and coaching, reflection, and opportunities to apply theory and research to practice in order to improve students’ academic achievement in schools.
