Impact of School Climate and Location on Academic Achievement of Students in Federal Colleges of Education in the North West- Zone, Nigeria

The study investigated the impact of school climate and location on academic achievements of students in Federal Colleges of Education in the North-West Zone, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised of 59,431 students, while 381 were sampled out of 59,431 NCE students. Impact of School Climate and school location on Students’ Academic Achievements Test Questionnaire (ISCSLAAQ) are two instruments designed for this study and were found reliable after a pilot test was conducted with 0.81 and 0.79 Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient respectively. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics to answer research questions and simple linear regression analysis to determine impact at 0.05 level of significance. 375 questionnaires were retrieved from the 381administered to the respondents. In addition, 30 respondents were interviewed where 10 students were used from each College of Education selected. The findings showed positive impact of school climate and location, on the academic achievement of students in Colleges of Education in the North-West Zone, Nigeria. Despite the challenges of balancing social life and academics, most students perceived a supportive and conducive environment for learning existed. Emphasis should be placed on the crucial importance of a positive school climate and well-balanced conducive location within educational institutions. These factors significantly contribute to academic achievement. It was concluded that, the findings collectively shed light on the educational landscape of NCE students in Colleges of Education. They emphasize the crucial importance of a positive school climate and conducive location within educational institutions. It was recommended among others, that educational institutions should prioritise by creating and maintaining a positive school climate, location measures in a balanced and constructive manner. Ensure that rules and norms are clear, fair, and supportive of student growth and development, rather than overly punitive or restrictive; also address resource disparities, especially in the context of school climate and location. It also emphasized that all Colleges of Education, regardless of their location, have equitable access to resources and support systems and continuously assess the effectiveness of school climate and other factors that influence academic achievement. Regular evaluations can help identify areas for improvement and allow for tailored interventions.