SCHOOL TYPES AND PUPILS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES

SCHOOL TYPES AND PUPILS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN ORUK ANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to examine school types and pupils academic performance in Social Studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State. A sample size of two hundred (200) pupils from five (5) selected primary schools and five (5) private primary schools across the Study Area. Three research Hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The instrument used was a questionnaire and pupils performance test in Social Studies. The statistical method used for the data analysis was independent t-test. The finding of the study showed that there is a greater influence of school types (public or private school) in pupils’ academic performance in social studies. It is therefore recommended that government should provide opportunities for a teacher in government schools at all level to attend seminars, in services courses and workshops to buttress their pedagogical skills in the teaching of social studies for optimum performance by the learners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                      

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study                  

1.2       Statement of the Problem      

1.3       Purpose of the Study             

1.4       Significance of the Study                  

1.5       Research Question                 

1.6       Research Hypotheses             

1.7       Delimitation of the Study      

1.8       Limitation of the Study                     

1.9       Definition of Terms   

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1       Concept of Social Studies                 

2.2       Public/private schools and Pupils’ Academic Performance in  Social Studies                                              

2.3       Mixed/Single School and Pupils’ Academic Performance in Social Studies            

2.4       Boarding/Day School and Pupils’ Academic Performance in  Social Studies                                             

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

3.1       Area of the Study                  

3.2       Research Design                    

3.3       Population of the Study                     

3.4       Sample and Sampling Technique       

3.5       Instrument for Data Collection          

3.6       Validation of Instrument                   

3.7       Reliability of the Instrument  

3.8       Administration of Instrument            

3.9       Method of Data Analysis                              

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF DATA AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1       Data analysis  

4.2       Discussion of finding 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

5.1       Summary                                

5.2       Recommendation                   

5.3       Conclusion                             

5.4       Suggestions for Further Study

References                             

Appendices

CHAPTER ONE

               INTRODUCTION

1.1              Background to the Study

Schools are established for the purpose of teaching and learning. It is also important that the teachers and learners are properly accommodated to facilitate the teaching and learning that go on in the school environment, this is the essence of the school plant and facilities (Alini, 2004). As school population continue to increase, the influence of school type on academic performance of pupils is generating much research interest. Adebayo (2011) for instance, has demonstrated that school type, public or private did not make a contribution to the academic achievement of primary schools pupils independently of the influence of their home background.

However, Keeves (2008), accepted that type of school did not make a contribution to the academic performance of pupils but they only make a difference in their behavior. According to Keeves (2008) the question of whether the type of school attended affect the academic performance of pupils in primary schools is one of continuing debate in both developed and developing countries. Secondly, schools irrespective of ownership are expected to function in compliance with the achievement of the national education objectives. To this end, students are expected to perform brilliantly in the final examination as this determines the quality of output of secondary schools, this is one of the methods of measuring the effectiveness of a school system. The better the performance of the pupils the more effective the system is assumed to be.

In Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular, it is the general opinion of people that private schools are better in terms of the availability of human and physical or material facilities and consequently pupils’ performance better in private schools than public schools. This situation has made many parents to enroll their children in private secondary schools. Experience has also shown that most pupils who secured admission into a tertiary institution such as the College of Education, polytechnics, and university are from private secondary schools.

Therefore, as the school population continues to increase, the influence of school type on academic performance of pupils are generating much research interest. Although, the incidence of poor performance of pupils appears to be more common in public schools, private schools are not free from the declining tide thread.

IF THIS MATERIAL IS USEFUL TO YOU , KINDLY CALL US ON 08127963962 OR 08087999974

However, some studies have examined locational planning and their attendance consequences on the performance of pupils in various subjects in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The study was intended to assist education authorities of various schools to decide where a particular type of school in each location. Mbakwe (2006) reported that public school were inferior and lacking in the range of facilities, with high staff turnover and suffered from a lack of continuity in their curriculum. He also observed that there is a significant difference in school

type. Based on the background findings, this study was therefore sought to examine school type and pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The issue of poor academic performance of pupils in social studies in Akwa Ibom State has been of much concern to all and sundry, the problem is so much that it has led to the widely acclaimed fallen standard in education in Oruk Anam Local Government Area in particular, and, other stakeholders in education have condemned the high rate of poor academic performance of pupils in external and internal examinations, yet the findings do not really indicate the major problems, hence the researcher suggested that the type of school one attends determines the academic performance of that child. This poor performance is not limited to public schools alone; private schools were also involved.

On the other hand, the socio-economic status of parents also influence pupils’ academic performance as related to this study, the question is, does school types have any influence on pupils’ academic performance in social studies? If yes, what should we do in other to overcome this problem of poor academic performance? It is in the light of this that this study sought to examine school type and pupils’ academic performance in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study was to examine school type and pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. The specific objectives were:

1.         To examine the influence of public/private schools on pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

2.         To assess the influence of girls/boys schools on pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

3.         To ascertain the influence of day/boarding school on pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

1.4       Significance of the Study

1.         This study will enable parents and teachers to have a better assessment of the actual factors responsible for pupils’ success or failure so as to correct any misconception.

2.         This study could suggest to the government the need for an adequate supply of available facilities that will encourage pupils academic performance in social studies.

3.         This study on school types will enlighten parents on which school they should encourage their wards to attend.

4.         Finally, this study will act as an index for future researchers and will also add content to literature reviewers.

1.5       Research Questions

To guide this study, the following research questions were formulated:

1.         To what extent does public/private school influence pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area?

2.         Boys/girls do not significantly influence pupils’ academic performance in primary schools in social studies.

3.         Is there any significant influence between day/boarding schools and pupils’ academic performance in social studies?

1.6       Research Hypotheses

1.         There is no significant influence between public/private schools and pupils’ academic performance in social studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

2.         There is no significant influence between girls/boys school and pupils’ academic performance in primary schools in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

3.         There is no significant influence between day/boarding schools and pupils’ academic performance in social studies.

1.7       Delimitation of the Study

This research work intends to cover school types and pupils’ academic performance in Social Studies in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

1.8       Limitation of the Study

In writing a research study like this, certain limitations are bound to occur. This include among others:

i.          The time giving for the completion of this study as the researcher scarcely had enough financial resources to enable him to expand the scope of the study.

ii.         The financial constraint also exerted pressure on the study as the researcher scarcely had enough financial resources to enable him to expand the scope of the study.

Equally, the inaccessibility of the administrators of schools during the period under study restricted the researcher to information derived from journals, textbooks, periodicals, and questionnaires.

1.9       Definition of Terms

Academic performance: The level of knowledge or skills attained by students in a given subject usually designed by a test score or grade obtained by them during the process of assessment.

Influence: This is the power to affect somebody’s character, beliefs or action through example, your advice and admonition.

Public Secondary School: Public secondary schools are supported and controlled by the government of the state. Also, public schools are those schools that were established, managed, financed as well as supervised by the government.

Private Secondary school: Private secondary schools are schools supported and controlled by the private individual and the sole end of it is to maximize project.

Social Studies: Is the studies of man and his physical environment.