THE EFFECT OF TRADITION ON WOMEN EDUCATION IN IMO STATE A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI WEST L.G.A.

ABSTRACT

This research work is about the effect of tradition on women education in Imo State and Owerri West as the case study. The researcher made use of political cultural theory which posits that the pattern of political orientation existing in any society determines its population to stick towards the political system. Thus, the traditional orientation and belief inherent in Owerri West. Likely, the research work as its methodology made use of questionnaire, interview and available document relating to the phenomena under study. Eorts were made to highlight the eort and extent of women education in Owerri West Local Government. These socio-cultural factors include: the traditional marriage practice, the boys and girls, various dictionary, various anti-feminine prejudices inherent in our culture to mention just a few. It was recommended among others that, all government at all level should encourage women education and empowerment as this will allow them to have access to formal education and skill acquisition.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Education as a concept may be defined as a process through which an individual is admitted into society by being taught what is worth in order that the individual might play his/her part well in that society. According to Fafunwa (2003), a former minister of education; education is seen as comprising all conscious eort and directs incidental and indirectly made by a given society to accomplish certain objectives that are considered desirable in terms of the individuals needs as well as the needs of the society in which the programme is based. Education serves as a basic human need and societal survival. Just as human needs nutritious food for survival, good health, growth and development, so does the mind need appropriate and balanced education for growth and development. Within the limit of available resources and the demands of other competing social and economic ends, education at least, to a certain level should constitute an uncompromising right of every human being irrespective of sex in any society which aspire for peaceful, stable economic growth and development.

This is because only when individual member of any society have access to the right type of intellectual and occupational development, usually acquire through the process of education and training that they can most effectively face the challenges of life in society. It is also these well educated and trained individuals, male and female, who in the process of ensuring their personal survival, growth and development, also ensure the survival, growth and development and prosperity of the society in which they live.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

For the past 30 years, the discrimination of women in education has resulted to their low level of education. It has been a barrier to the development of the country and state in precise. Inspite of all attempts made by government to encourage women education, such efforts have not been fruitful due to poor orientation of parents towards women education which has continued to discourage women access to formal education and skill acquisition. The effects of the discrimination has increased due to the fact that some men in Imo State are been considered pivotal in being given the desired opportunities to formal education and to participate fully in development activities. Besides, this has led to poor economic planning, unstable political environment as women are not allowed to formal education due to this orientation.

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Does tradition affect the level of education of women? 2. Does women education contribute to social and economic development? 3. Does women education contribute to up-bringing and training of children who are future leaders of the nation? 4. Does illiterate women complain actually on the literate ones? 5. Does parents attitude aect women education? 6. Does education contribute to the development of human being?