FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUPILS’ DROPOUT AND ACHIEVEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

       Education is the acquisition and application of knowledge in various fields for effective performance of ones task. The federal, state and local Governments of the federation place high premium on education they recognize it as a weapon against ignorance, disease, squalor and poverty and as a means of raising an enlightened, lively and industrious citizenry and of producing a prosperous nation.

       Education is an important medium for imparting the cultural traits and for change and transition and for instructing members of any society on the accepted norms, values and practices. Omebe (2005) states that the main aim of educational institution is to bring change in the behaviour of human beings from the time an individual is born and last till death.

       Omebe (2007) defined education as that training which is given by suitable habits to the first instincts of virtue in children when pleasure and pain are rightly implanted in non-rational soul. The particular training in respect of pleasure and pain which leads on to hate and love what love ought to have and love is called education.

       The federal government of Nigeria has adopted education as an instrument for excellence for effecting not only national development but also as a tool in the achievement of her five national objectives stated in the national policy on education (2007). These objectives are the building of:

1. A free and democratic society
2. A just and egalitarian society
3. A united, strong and self-reliant nation
4. A great and dynamic economy
5. A land full of bright opportunities for all citizens.

       This implies that among other things Nigeria intends producing education for all her children of school age. This provision of education covers at least from primary school level  to tertiary levels depending on the individuals academic ability.

       National policy on education (2007:14) defined primary education as the education given in institutions for children aged 6 to 11 plus since the rest of the education system is build upon it, the primary level is the key to the success or failure of the whole system. The duration shall be six years. The goal of primary education is to:

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUPILS’ DROPOUT AND ACHIEVEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL