EFFECT OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT ON ADDRESSING SCHOOL AVOIDANCE AND ENHANCING ACADEMIC MOTIVATION AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of positive reinforcement on addressing school avoidance and enhancing academic motivation among Junior secondary school students in low-income communities in Niger State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test control group design was employed, involving 118 students from two schools with high absenteeism rates. The experimental group received positive reinforcement strategies (token economies, material rewards, and words of affirmation) over eight weeks, while the control group was exposed to conventional approaches. Data were collected using School Attendance Records (SAR) and the Academic Motivation Scale and analyzed using ANCOVA. Findings revealed a significant effect of positive reinforcement in reducing school avoidance (F(1,115) = 285.110, p < .000) and enhancing academic motivation (F(1,115) = 315.655, p < .000). The study concludes that structured positive reinforcement strategies can effectively improve attendance and motivation in low-income communities and recommends that Schools should incorporate structured positive reinforcement strategies, such as token economies and verbal praise, into their attendance and motivation programs.