PRINCIPALS’ STRATEGIES IN REDUCING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENUGU SOUTH

Abstract

The intention of this study is to determine the principals’ strategies in curbing negative Impact of Social Media on the academic performance of senior secondary schools in Enugu South. The research design for the study was survey. A close-ended questionnaire was used as the instrument of study. This instrument was validated by three experts. The test re-test method was used to test for the reliability of the instrument.  The population includes 1786 teachers from 33 secondary schools in Enugu South, out of which a sample size of 360 was drawn at random. The mean and standard statistic was employed as the method of data analysis. The result revealed that Social Media have shattered the senior secondary school students around, have made 95% of Public-School Students to base on expos during WAEC/NECO Exams. Principals should stop students from entering school compound with phone, Principals should emphasis more on the use of phones at home during PTA meeting, Principals should motivate teachers to engage students with assignments and other activities, finally Principals should setup a proper monitoring teams to monitor student’s participation during lesson delivery and after classes. The Study recommends that Examination boards should focus more on continuous assessments and policies should be made to control the use of phone by students in schools. Finally, parents should control and monitor their children.