TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION ON THE CAUSES OF LOW MALE ENROLLMENT IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONITSHA SOUTH LGA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

Education can be defined as the process through which knowledge; skills, attitudes and values are imparted for the purpose of integrating the individual in a given society, or changing the values and norms of a society. Education is considered a fundamental human right as well as a catalyst for economic growth and human development. In Nigeria, as in any other country, this Process is organized and managed through a coherent system put in place by the Government. It has been observed that the population of male students in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA of Anambra State has reduced drastically. Most male students no longer go to school instead they get engage in various activities such as crimes. Truancy is one of the major reasons why there is low male enrollment in secondary school; male students prefer to engage themselves in business instead of going to school. This study is carried to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrollment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Education is the process or art of imparting knowledge, skill and judgment. It is however important that every child is entitled to right of been educated. Some factors has made it almost impossible for some children to harness their right to education. It has been a disturbing issue on the low enrollment of make students in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. One of the major causes of low enrolment of male students in secondary schools is poverty. Many families find it diicult to eat a three square meal per day. In such families, the male children are propelled to find a means of catering for their families thereby ignoring the significance of education. The sudden death of parents is also an important factor responsible for low male enrollment in secondary school. The male children take up the burden to cater for their siblings as their sense of duty. The burden of these responsibilities makes it impossible for them to get enrolled in schools.

Onitsha been a business metropolis, most male children prefer to go into businesses instead of going to school. It has been observed that male children in Onitsha are put to learn one trade or the other at a very young age. The desire to venture into business at such age reduces the possibility of them going to schools. So this is focused to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrollment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrollment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. The specific objectives are: 1. To find out if poverty is a factor responsible for low male enrollment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. 2. To ascertain if sudden death of parents is a factor responsible for low male enrollment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. 3. To examine if lack of parents’ interest in education is responsible for low male enrollment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. 4. To find out if poor learning environment is responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. 5. To determine if lack of sponsors plays a role in the low male enrollment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.