Influence of Religious Affiliation on Students’ Attitudes towards Co-Educational Schools in Wukari Local Government area of Taraba State, Nigeria
This study examined the influence of religious affiliation on students’ attitudes toward co-educational schooling in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from 320 senior secondary school students using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using One-Way ANOVA, Chi-Square, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that mean attitude scores differed significantly by religious affiliation, with Christian students scoring 4.21, Muslim students 3.75, and students from traditional or other backgrounds 3.80 (F = 17.28, p = 0.000). Chi-Square analysis further indicated a significant association between religious affiliation and attitudes toward co-education (X² = 13.62, df = 2, p = 0.001), with 140 out of 180 Christian students, 70 out of 120 Muslim students, and 12 out of 20 students from traditional or other backgrounds expressing favorable attitudes. Multiple regression analysis identified religious affiliation (β = 0.312, p = 0.000), prior exposure to co-education (β = 0.221, p = 0.000), peer influence (β = 0.174, p = 0.000), socio-economic status (β = 0.148, p = 0.005), parents’ level of education (β = 0.125, p = 0.015), cultural background (β = 0.093, p = 0.036), and class level (β = 0.097, p = 0.019) as significant predictors of students’ acceptance and participation in co-educational schooling. Demographic variables such as gender, age, and parents’ occupation were not significant. The model explained 46.2% of the variance in students’ acceptance (R² = 0.462, F = 25.76, p = 0.000). The study concludes that religious, socio-cultural, and experiential factors are key determinants of students’ attitudes toward co-education, and recommends religious sensitization, increased exposure to co-educational activities, and parental and peer engagement to promote positive attitudes.
Key Words: Religious Affiliation, Co-Educational Schooling, Students’ Attitudes, Socio-Cultural Factors, Wukari LGA
