CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Education,
the most powerful instrument for social reforms, develops knowledge skill and
character in an individual and society at large.
Education,
in general terms, is the process of transmitting societal homes values and
desirable attitudes from one generation to another development as noted above
is viewed here as a process of growth leading to improvement in standard of
living and quality of life. This arises from the appropriate harnessing,
exploration and exploitation of available and natural resources. In particular,
education equips the beneficiary with self reliant in skill i.e. in terms of
technical education which contributes to the overall economic development of
the society.
Education
seeks to socialize individuals so as to equip them with the desired mode of
behavior that is in conformity with the way of life of the society in which
they live. It is the process of teaching, training and learning in schools and
colleges for the development of knowledge and skills so as to prepare
individuals to live happily with themselves and others in society where they
live.
Okonkwo
(1995) regards education as technical education which leads to an occupational
career or profession for man power development.
Despite the
importance of education and its history in Nigeria, dating back to 1898, it has
not gained the recognition it deserves (Oriafo, 1998). It is dishearten to note
that while education and the resulting technological advancement was facing in
developing countries, the available technical and vocational institutions in
Nigeria were under subscribed (Adeefe Oar). This posed a major problem to
the achievement of the goals set for technical education and other forms of
education generally in the national policy of education (NPE 1981:28).
More
recently, the joint consultative committee on education (JSCE) references
committee on science subjects at the 64th plenary
meeting (23rd-29th June, 2006) observed that the
delivery of technical and science subjects in schools was poor due to lack of
adequately equipped workshops and science laboratories as well as lack of
materials for practical work. The JSCE further noted that on account of poor
facilities, the rate of success in these subjects was also poor.
In Nigeria,
the west African examination (WAEC) and national examination council (NECO)
oversees the conduction of O’ level examinations. Also more importantly, the
national board for technical education (NABTEB) oversees technical education
while the onus of conducting technical examinations rests on the national
business and technical examination board (NABTEB).
An overview
of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB examination results over the years has revealed
consistently high failure rates.
A five (5)
years comparative analysis of May/June examination results revealed that:
· Failure rates on science subjects ranged from
28-52%.
· In acts subjects the range of failure is between
20-40%
· Combination of both arts and sciences recorded a
failure of 42-75% the persistent high failure rates in examination in various
subjects that led to academic performance have been attributed to the following;
- Poor funding of education generally.
- Inadequate trained and qualified teachers.
- Inadequacy of infrastructures in the
institutions.
- Lack of instructional materials on the part of
the teachers and students.
- Shallow knowledge of content of syllabus.
- Inadequate practical exposure (i.e to formal
workshop and laboratories).
- Inadequate preparation on the part of the
student.
- Phobia on science subjects.
This research sought to investigate the relationship of some of
the above factors that led to the causes of poor academic performance among
students in some selected secondary schools in Egor local government area of
Edo state with a view to finding strategies solutions in order to move our education
forward.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Education
is only just becoming accepted, as evidenced in the increased enrolments for
the past twenty (20) years however, the consistent high rates in some major
science and technical subjects have fair reaching consequences for national
development as a result of high wastage rate of schools with private and public
in the country, this arises from the number of candidates eligible for
certification. Specifically, students in collaboration of corrupt teachers has
always device a way out examination malpractices. Special and miracle centres
becomes the order of the day after all, the end justifies the means.
This is mostly common in private schools and
those schools in remote areas that lack supervision. However, the half baked
students with good results but cannot defend it have serious implication of
producing quality of students.
There is the need to study the cause of the
high failure rates abd low quality students that led to academic performance by
finding solutions tro the following research questions.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Does
the quality of science teachers affect academic performance among students in
Egor local government area of Edo state?
2. Does
the number of teachers available affect the rate of failure in certain subjects?
3. Does
the availability or non availability of workshop affect the rate of failure of
candidates in identified subject?
4. Does
the non availability of instructional materials constitute academic performance?
5. Does
the interest of students affect academic performance in Egor local government
area?
6. Does
parental support affect the failure rate of candidates in some identified
subjects?
7. Does
the role of cultism in some schools affect academic performance?
BASIC ASSUMPTION
The
study assumed that education and examination is a true measure of performance.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The
study was to investigate the causes of academic performance among students in
egor local government area of edo state. The investigation was carried at
recealing the causes of the poor performance in examination and quality of
students trained after their academic journey.
This will
enable the researcher to make appropriate is recommendations which will lead to
an improvement of the performance in the future.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
In
this jet age, there is no compromise about ensuring that quality of education
is realized. The outcome of the study will be able to source of immense
information and help to educational planners, counselors ajnd administers
towards to ensuring that our educational system will not be thrown to the dust
bin resource planners in the state and federal government will also derive a
wealth of knowledge from it.
Additionally, it will acts as a guide for recruitment of qualified teachers in
different fields and enhancing learning environment. Finally it will be a
source of enlightment to students, parents, institutions, government and the
society at large.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This
research covered all the past years by checking the results and assessing the
students that passel out during these years in five selected schools. This
research study was limited to the responses from public and privates schools in
Egor Local Government Area of Edo State concerning the relationship between the
adequacy of teachers, infrastructures, available of instructional materials, interest
of students, parental support and quality of students produced enables the
researcher to pass judgement on the causes of academic performance among
students in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. WAEC
(west Africa examination council) they conduct school certificate exams with
the country and west African region.
2. NECO
(national examination council) they conduct senior school exams within the
country (Nigeria).
3. NPE
(national policy on education) they make and regulate education policy.
4. S.S.C.E
(senior secondary school certificate examination) this is an examination for
these in senior secondary school.
5. NBTE
(national board for technical education) they employ and conduct exams for
technical school.
6. NABTEB
(national business and technical examination board) the conduct exams for
technical school and entrance exams for technical college,.
Department | Education |
Project ID Code | EDU0239 |
Chapters | 5 Chapters |
No of Pages | 36 pages |
Reference | YES |
Format | Microsoft Word |
Price | ₦4000, $15 |
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Contact Us On | +2347043069458 |