THE ROLE OF INFORMATION MATERIAL ACCESSIBILITY AND FAMILY INFLUENCE ON THE READING HABITS OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IJEBU ODE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract

The ability to read effectively is fundamental to students’ academic success and lifelong learning. This study examined the role of information material accessibility and family influence on the reading habits of senior secondary school students in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 989 senior secondary school students, from which a sample of 426 respondents was selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire designed to elicit information on students’ reading habits, accessibility of information materials, family influence, and challenges affecting reading. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis). Findings revealed that the reading habits of the students were generally good (grand mean = 3.99), with reading largely driven by academic purposes. The study further showed that essential information materials such as textbooks, subject notebooks, and dictionaries were readily accessible, while supplementary materials were moderately available (grand mean = 3.80). Family influence, particularly parental encouragement and provision of reading materials, was found to significantly support students’ reading habits, whereas environmental distractions posed moderate challenges. The regression analysis indicated that information material accessibility and family influence jointly exert a significant influence on students’ reading habits (R² = 0.272; F(2,423) = 80.297; p < 0.05).

The study concludes that improving access to information materials and strengthening family support mechanisms are critical to sustaining positive reading habits among senior secondary school students.