Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Educational Aspiration of Secondary School Students in Sokoto State

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental contextual variable shaping the educational aspirations of adolescents, influencing both their access to information about opportunities and their perceived feasibility of pursuing higher education. This study examined the effects of socioeconomic status on the educational aspirations of secondary school students in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used, involving 420 students selected from twelve secondary schools in three local government areas representing urban, semi-urban, and rural settings. The Socioeconomic Status Classification Questionnaire and the Educational Aspiration Scale were the primary instruments. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and regression analysis. Findings showed significant differences in educational aspiration across SES levels, with students from high socioeconomic backgrounds demonstrating markedly higher aspirations for university education and professional careers. Students from low SES backgrounds reported greater uncertainty about educational futures and more frequent intention to discontinue schooling after secondary level. Access to school counselling partially moderated the SES-aspiration relationship, with students who reported meaningful interaction with a counsellor showing higher aspirations irrespective of background. The study recommended that Sokoto State secondary schools deploy targeted educational aspiration programmes for students from low-income contexts, and that counsellors receive training in strength-based approaches applicable across diverse socioeconomic settings. Keywords: socioeconomic status, educational aspiration, secondary school, Sokoto State, guidance.