ADMISSION QUOTA AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS IN SOUTH–WEST NIGERIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Ayodele Barnes Ogunsakin ¹& Modupe Margaret Isaac-Philips ²

Department of Educational Management, Lagos State University, Ojo ^1&2

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find out which of the admission quotas ensures that students who are academically better are admitted into the universities. The research instrument consisted of records observation format; the secondary data obtained were transcribed into Grade Points Average for data treatment purposes. The design of the study encompasses descriptive, ex post facto and correlational research types. Three research questions were answered. The sample consisted of 6000 students randomly selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The study revealed that less than 1% of the graduating class had first class divisions, between 14% to 25% had second class upper divisions, between 43% to 50% had second class lower divisions, between 20% to 32% had third class divisions and between 4% to 10% had pass class. Results also showed that the percentage academic achievement of those admitted on merit that had first class and second class upper (0.70%, 23.90%) divisions on graduation was higher than those admitted on catchment area and ELDS policy (0.40%, 20.40%) respectively. The percentage academic achievement of male students admitted through ELDS that had first class and second class upper was higher than their female counterparts whereas the percentage academic achievement of students admitted through merit that had first class was higher in female students than in male students. This study revealed that the quotas for students’ admission have a relationship with students’ academic achievement. It is therefore recommended that the existing quota system of admission should be reviewed with the provision that the merit percentage be increased to accommodate the best candidates from each State in the Federation to improve academic achievement of students in the university.

Keywords: Academic Achievement, Admission Quotas, Educationally less Developed States, Catchment Areas, Merit Admission.