Relationship between academic self-esteem and performance in English language and mathematics of primary school pupils

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between pupils' academic self-esteem and performance in English language and Mathematics. The sample consisted of 365 pupils selected from 82 primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State. Krejcie and Morgan's table for determining sampling size was used to select the sample size for this study. Academic Self-Esteem Questionnaire designed by the researchers was used for data collection. Test-retest reliability (r) of the instrument yielded 0.72. The data were summarized and analyzed by descriptive and inferential (independent t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics respectively. Results showed that pupils' level of academic self-esteem was high and their level of academic performance in English Language and Mathematics was average. In conclusion, self-esteem was found to be positively related to academic performance. Based on this, teachers should increase and maintain pupils' self-esteem by assisting them feel and think positively.