AWARENESS OF STUDENTS TOWARDS THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO PROMOTE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF BANNANO SECONDARY AND PREPARATORY BOARDING SCHOOL, DEGAHABUR ZONE, ETHIOPIAN SOMALI REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

This study attempted to assess the awareness of Bannano secondary and preparatory school students towards role of physical activity. Descriptive survey design was employed to carry out the study which enables the researcher to describe the current awareness level of students under the study. Primary data was used for the study and sample was drawn from Bannano secondary and preparatory students using Slovin formula and systematic sampling methods. 53% of populations were included in the study. Accordingly, 55 students of grade nine out of which 37 male and 18 female students, among 53 students of grade ten 38 male and 15 also female students, 41 students of grade eleven out of which 29 male and 12 female, and 38 students of grade twelve among them 28 male and 10 female students. Totally, 187 sample students were selected from 350 of total population in the study. The data was gathered using questionnaire from selected students and it was analyzed using frequency, percentage and independent sample t-test. The data was collected using observational check list from all students in the class, during practical session and out of the school and it was analyzed using frequency and percentage. The results showed that around 29 (52.7%) of grade 9, 24(45.3%) of grade 10, 16(39.02%) of grade 11, and 14(36.84%) of grade 12 students had low awareness towards role of physical activity. Relatively, the frequency and percentage of grade 12 students was small to low awareness. Result obtained from comparative responses of secondary and preparatory school students indicated that the mean values 2.11 and 4.08 with standard deviation 0.48 and 0.59 respectively. The result showed that there is significance difference between secondary and preparatory school students about physical activity. Accordingly, preparatory school students had good awareness. Similarly, the comparison result based on gender indicated that male and female students had mean values of 3.40 and 1.88 with standard deviation 1.005 and 0.334 respectively. As it indicated there was significant difference between male and female respondents. Therefore, male students had better awareness towards role of physical activity rather than female students.