Levels and Approaches of Problem-Solving Competence among Secondary School Students in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract : The study ascertained the levels of problem-solving competence among secondary school students in Southwestern Nigeria and assessed students’ approach to problem-solving competence among secondary school students, These were with a view to providing empirical information on the factors that could enhance problem-solving competence among the students. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 2,403,829 public secondary school students in Southwestern, Nigeria. A sample size of 2,160 students was selected from public senior secondary school students in the study zone. Multistage sampling procedure was used for selecting the sample. Simple random technique was used to select three states in Southwestern, Nigeria, two senatorial districts from each selected states. Furthermore, 18 LGAs and 54 public secondary schools were selected for the study. Lastly, systematic sampling technique was used to select 40 secondary school class II students (SSS II) from each school. One adapted instrument was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data collected using Questionnaire on Problem-Solving Competence (QPSC) were analyzed frequency counts, percentage and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that majority (72%) of public secondary school students in the study zone demonstrated a moderate level of problem-solving competence. Likewise, majority of the students’ have moderate level of adaptive and maladaptive approach to problem-solving competence with PPO (57.3%), RPS (63.3%) and (NPO) 63.7%, (AS) 65.7%, (ICS) 65.7% respectively. The study concluded that majority of public secondary school students in the study zone demonstrated a moderate level of problem-solving competence. Likewise majority of the students’ have mal-adaptive approach to problem-solving competence.