School Environment and Parental Socio-Economic Status as Contributing Factors Endangering Occupational Choice of Secondary School Learners in Enugu State, Nigeria (Psychological Implications)

Abstract

School environment and parental socio-economic status are important educational requirements for bringing up a well-developed learner. However, over the years they have been swept under the carpet instead of giving it the required attention needed. At the forefront of this burning issue is the harsh reality of surviving in the society through one’s chosen occupation hence this study sought to investigate school environment and parental socio-economic status as contributors endangering occupational choice of secondary school students in Enugu State. Two null hypotheses guided the study. The study was conducted in Enugu State using correlational research design with a sample of 300 respondents, composed using purposive sampling method. Researcher structured questionnaire face validated by three experts from Educational Psychology and Measurement and Evaluation in Enugu State University of Science and Technology was used to elicit the desired response. Reliability co-efficient was 0.81 determined using Cronbach Alpha. Method of data analysis was Person Product Moment Correlation. The result amongst others revealed that school environment and parental socio-economic status are strong contributors endangering occupational choice of secondary school learners in Enugu State. Based on the findings, it was recommended that parents and schools should live up to their expectation in the life of a secondary school learner in order to help him/her make the right occupational choice.