Influence of Instructional Materials on Academic Performance of Physics Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kano State

This study examined the influence of instructional materials on the academic performance of Physics students in public secondary schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The persistent poor performance of students in Physics at the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination has raised concerns among educators, policymakers, and parents, necessitating a systematic investigation into classroom-level factors. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting a population of Physics teachers and SS2 students across Kano Municipal, Ungogo, and Kumbotso Local Government Areas. Using stratified random sampling, 280 students and 38 teachers were selected for the study. A researcher-designed questionnaire and a student performance proforma were used as instruments for data collection. The instruments were validated by experts and tested for reliability, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's product-moment correlation. Results showed a strong positive relationship between the availability and use of instructional materials and students' academic performance in Physics. Teachers who regularly employed charts, models, and ICT tools recorded significantly higher student pass rates compared to those relying solely on textbooks. The study concluded that instructional material utilization is a critical determinant of Physics achievement and recommended that school administrators prioritize procurement of relevant teaching aids. Keywords: instructional materials, Physics education, academic performance, Kano State, secondary schools.