Access to Education and Impact of Linear Distance on Students’ Academic Achievement in Mathematics and English Language at Junior Secondary Schools of Plateau State

The study investigated access to education and impact of linear distance on students’ academic achievement in junior secondary schools in Plateau State. The study was precipitated by inadequate access to linear distance and students’ poor achievement in Mathematics and English Language BECE in Plateau State. The purpose of the study was to assess the access to education and impact of linear distance on students’ achievement in BECE. Three research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The ex post facto design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 298 junior secondary schools in Plateau State with 21,434 JSS students and 1554 teachers. A sample of 116 JSS consisting of 2712 JSS students and 318 teachers were sampled using disproportionate stratified sampling technique to draw the number of students and teachers. A questionnaire was used to collect data as well as a template. Data were analysed using means and chi-square statistic. The findings of the study revealed that enrolment status of JSS students in Plateau was decreasing and a there was a decline in academic achievement in Mathematics and English language. Linear distance had significant impact on students’ academic achievement. It was recommended that government at all levels should address the problem of poverty to sustain enrolment. Government and by school proprietors should do proper school mapping in siting schools to be accessible to students especially in rural areas.