A STUDY OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GIRLS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is a dynamic process the result of which reflects almost directly on the standard of living.  According to Farrant (1964) “Education describe the total process or human learning to which knowledge is imparted, faculties trained and skills developed.”.  The attitude of student to learning affects their academic performance either positively or negatively.         Most students are blazed towards science education before they start to study it. Mathematic for example is one of the major requirements in the field of science and technology and the importance of mathematics is stressed in the national policy on education. It is a known fact that in the teaching/learning process many factors militate against the excellent performance of student. The parent and general public looks up to the children on words academic “giants” overweight and anything that falls below this high expectation renders teachers ineffective and unenthusiastic to them.

Very few people careless of the other factors affecting the academic performance of students in school, poor performance of students is not caused by one person. The teacher sees the students as not hardworking enough. Also the society sees the school as not good enough in terms of provision of adequate library facilities and proper staffing. Other sees it as the fault of the government in terms of funding the school for better education.       It is the line of though that prompted the investigation into funding all what factors really affect student’s performance in school with particular reference to female.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem of this research is to identify those factors that affect the performance of female students in secondary schools. In doing this, the researcher will see to the following questions;

Is there any difference between the performances of females from different socio-economic background? Is there any difference between the performance of females and educational status of parents? Do family type and structure affect the performance of females? Is there any difference between the performance of female students in well equipped schools and those in ill equipped schools?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In carrying out this research work, answer will be made to the following questions.

Does the socio-economic background of parents affect the performance of female students? Does parental educational status influence the performance of their children? Does family type and structure affect the performance of female students? Does availability of school equipment affect the performance of female students?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Since the main study of this research is to identify the factors affecting the academic performance of female students.

The identification of this problem and the solution suggested will help teachers in student’s guidance or counseling official and the society.

It will help teachers and the government in designing motivation techniques to overcome female students poor performances, in a past making would of science and technology, all hands must be on deck most especially for a third world country like Nigeria, gender should not be a barrier to excellences.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State since it would not be possible to cover the whole secondary schools in this area due to transportation problem, some representative samples would be selected in the local government area.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research project is to investigate and analyzed the factors affecting the academic performance of girls in secondary schools.

Education at any level, would be centered toward meeting the needs of the people, the purpose of this study therefore is to discover if the following factors will affect the academic performance, the society, parent economic status, family type and structure and attitude of girls.

Education performs certain basic function in a society; these include transmission, maintenance of the society and recruitment into the society. This transmission occurs between one generation and another special attention will be given to analyze the factors that affect academic performance of students.

Finally, recommendation based on the findings of the survey will be made.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Owing to the fact that certain English words and expression may have different meaning and interpretations, it becomes necessary to define some of the terms and expression used within the context of the study.

Education: This means formal and informal training of the individual to acquire some knowledge and ability in such a way that a new character and mental power is achieved from such training. A fact to note here is that education is constantly changing.

Performance: This is an cat that involves a lot of effort, it is also how well or badly you do a particular activity.

Factor: That which helps to produce a result.

Academic: Things relating to teaching, learning or studying in an organized institution.

Learning: Any relatively permanent change in behavior which occurs as a result of practice or experience.

Facilities: This refers to all essential teaching aids and equipment that enhance the work of the teacher and facilitate student’s better performance.

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