Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Academic Performance of Business Education Students in Public Schools in Oyo State

This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and the academic performance of Business Education students in public secondary schools in Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Socioeconomic status encompasses a combination of income, parental education, and occupational status, all of which shape the educational resources and learning environments available to students. While research on this relationship is extensive globally, studies specific to Business Education students in South West Nigeria remain sparse. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 620 SS3 Business Education students in twenty-four public secondary schools across four local government areas in Ibadan. Using proportionate stratified random sampling, 310 students were selected. The Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire and students academic records from the most recent terminal examinations were used as data collection instruments. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate a moderate positive relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with students from higher-income families performing better on average. Access to private tutoring, internet connectivity, and quiet study environments were identified as the key mediating variables. The study recommends that the Oyo State Government should expand its school feeding, learning materials support, and digital access programmes to equitably support Business Education students from low-income households in improving their academic outcomes. Keywords: socioeconomic status, academic performance, business education, secondary schools, Oyo State