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Efficacy of Metacognitive Strategy in Improving Academic Performance in Basic Science and Technology Among Junior Secondary School Two Students in Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria


Authors : Iliya Godiya Bako; Adamu Gagdi Jibrin; Shehu Danladi Zayum; Abdulkarim Ali Deba; Olariwaju Dauda Musa

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/msnp2pst

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ycycekkp

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1817

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : This study investigated the efficacy of metacognitive strategy instruction in improving the academic performance of Junior Secondary School Two (JSS II) students in Basic Science and Technology in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental, pretest–posttest non-equivalent control group design was adopted. The sample consisted of 137 JSS II students drawn from two public secondary schools, with 73 students in the experimental group and 64 in the control group. The experimental group was exposed to metacognitive strategy instruction, while the control group was taught using the conventional method. The instrument used for data collection was the Basic Science and Technology Performance Test (BSTPT). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that students taught using metacognitive strategy instruction performed significantly better than those taught using the conventional method. revealed that although both male and female students benefited significantly from the Metacognitive strategy training, female students had slightly higher post-test performance scores than their male counterparts. It also revealed that although both male and female students benefited significantly from the Metacognitive strategy, female students had slightly higher post-test performance scores than their male counterparts. The study concluded that metacognitive strategy instruction is an effective approach for improving academic achievement in Basic Science and Technology among junior secondary school students. It was therefore recommended that Basic Science teachers should integrate metacognitive strategy instruction into classroom practices.

Keywords : Metacognitive Strategies, Academic Performance, Basic Science and Technology, Gender and Instruction.

References :

  1. Adeyemi, T. O., & Yusuf, M. A. (2021). Metacognitive strategies and students’ achievement in junior secondary school science. Journal of Science Education Research, 9(2), 45–57.
  2. Abdullahi, H. M., & Mohammed, R. S. (2025). Promoting self-regulated learning in science classrooms: The role of metacognitive instruction. Journal of Contemporary Science Education, 18(1), 11–29.
  3. Hwang, G. J., & Song, Y. R. (2019). Revisiting the concept of STEM education: Identifying the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for integrating technology, engineering, and mathematics. International Journal of STEM Education, 6(1), 1-13.
  4. Ibrahim, S. A., & Lawal, B. O. (2024). Improving science achievement through metacognitive strategy instruction in Nigerian secondary schools. African Journal of Educational Psychology, 12(1), 65–78.
  5. John, I. A., & Musa, A. M. (2021). The effect of metacognitive strategy instruction on academic performance and self-efficacy in Basic Science among junior secondary school students. International Journal of Educational Studies, 20(1), 42-58.
  6. Okoro, J. C., & Bello, S. A. (2022). Effects of self-regulated learning strategies on students’ academic performance in integrated science. International Journal of Science Teaching,           7(3), 112–125.
  7. Olatunde, A. T., & Adebayo, O. O. (2021). The effect of metacognitive strategies on academic performance, interest, and self-efficacy in physics among secondary school students. Journal of Science Education, 27(4), 185-196.
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  9. Zhang, Y. (2023). Meta-cognitive instructional practices and science learning outcomes:A systematic review. Journal of Educational Innovation, 15(4), 203–219.
  10. Pajares, F., &Schunk, D. H. (2017). Self-efficacy and motivation in education: Research and applications. In K. A. Renninger& S. Hidi (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Motivation and Learning (pp. 342-360). Cambridge University Press.
  11. Veenman, M. V. J., Van Hout-Wolters, B. H. A. M., &Afflerbach, P. (2016). Metacognition and learning: Conceptual and methodological considerations. Metacognition and Learning, 1(1), 3-14.
  12. Zepeda, C. D., Richey, J. E., Ronevich, P., &Nokes-Malach, T. J. (2015). Direct instruction of metacognition benefits adolescent science learning, transfer, and motivation: An in vivo study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 107(4), 954-970.

This study investigated the efficacy of metacognitive strategy instruction in improving the academic performance of Junior Secondary School Two (JSS II) students in Basic Science and Technology in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental, pretest–posttest non-equivalent control group design was adopted. The sample consisted of 137 JSS II students drawn from two public secondary schools, with 73 students in the experimental group and 64 in the control group. The experimental group was exposed to metacognitive strategy instruction, while the control group was taught using the conventional method. The instrument used for data collection was the Basic Science and Technology Performance Test (BSTPT). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that students taught using metacognitive strategy instruction performed significantly better than those taught using the conventional method. revealed that although both male and female students benefited significantly from the Metacognitive strategy training, female students had slightly higher post-test performance scores than their male counterparts. It also revealed that although both male and female students benefited significantly from the Metacognitive strategy, female students had slightly higher post-test performance scores than their male counterparts. The study concluded that metacognitive strategy instruction is an effective approach for improving academic achievement in Basic Science and Technology among junior secondary school students. It was therefore recommended that Basic Science teachers should integrate metacognitive strategy instruction into classroom practices.

Keywords : Metacognitive Strategies, Academic Performance, Basic Science and Technology, Gender and Instruction.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - May - 2026

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