THE FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES IN ACCOUNTING
ABSTRACT
This research project was on,factors responsible for poor academic performance of primary school pupils in accounting (a case study of enugu education zone). Data were gathered through structured questionnaire information obtained from principals, teachers, assistant head teachers, students and other staff from the selected primary schools within the metropolis. In an attempt to validate the findings of this study, four (4) research questions were posed. The main purpose of the study was to establish whether there is actually poor academic performance among primary school pupils in Enugu Education zone and to determine the possible factors responsible for the poor academic performance of primary school pupils. Data were analysed using the mean. And based on the data collected, and analysed the following findings were made. i) The level of competency possessed by a teacher affect his performance, effectiveness and productivity. ii) Students can experience difficulties in learning sometime, perhaps because the teaching is too fast or the ambiguity of words used by the teacher. iii) The teacher ought to be able to rational appraisal of his abilities and try to employ likely to enhance not reduce the impact he hopes to make in the teaching learning process etc. The researchers concluded that acute shortage of qualified teachers contribute to the poor academic achievement of primary school pupils in both computer and primary science subjects in primary schools, coupled with the fact that teachers scarcely take assessment from pupils after an exposure to instruction to know the extent and depth knowledge of pupils learning. Besides many problems are found militating against teachers’ performance and effective service delivery and many strategies should be used to improver student’s performance and teachers’ effectiveness in the science subjects in Nigeria primary school Education. The researchers, however, recommended among other things that the primary education curriculum should be structured basically, to enable pupils to acquire further knowledge on core subjects and develop basic skills as well. And that from time to time, Accounting education teachers should be examined for the purpose of certification and for better service delivery in schools.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The content of Nigeria education must reflect the past present and future of the dynamic Nigeria society in terms of the roles the individual is expected to play in the resent modernalization process. The Nigeria formal education system is the organized and structured aspect of the education which takes place within the four walls of the school. It however has to be noted that, all emphasis in terms of government budgetary allocation and general planning, is usually placed on formal education. Hence, a discussion of Nigeria’s educational system is almost synonymous with a discussion of the formal educational system. As has been pointed earlier, the formal education system comprises interrelated sub-system or levels. The major levels of the Nigerian educational system are primary, secondary, (post primary), and tertiary (Post Secondary) (Mkpa:1992).
Since the introduction of formal education in Nigeria, various conferences and seminars have been held and Commissions set up to deliberate on crucial issues in the Nigeria educational system. Of remarkable significance are the National Curriculum Conference in 1969 which reviewed old, and identified new national goals for Nigeria’s educational system and the 1973 seminar of distinguished educational experts and representatives of all segments of the society under the chairmanship of chief S.O. Adebo which renewed the 1969 paper and made more recommendations.
Besides the numerous other recommendations in this respect, recommendations number 8 dealt with the goals of primary education. It reads thus:
“Specifically, the primary school Curriculum must aim at functional permanent literacy to ensure better producers and consumers of goods. It should provide a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking; inculcate citizenship education and a sound moral character and attitude development, help individuals to adapt and a adjust to the changing society, give physical, emotional and intellectual growth, enhance an individual sense of will power, creative and innovativeness, develop their mechanical vocational and manipulative skills and competencies enable them to communicate freely and effectively through any media, imbibe in them a spirit of self – discipline (Fafunwa, 1974:233).
This statement however, is the beginning of redirecting primary education in Nigeria toward a reasonable end, and a way from production of only church teachers and interpreters.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It is pertiment to understand that the so – called academic performance of primary school pupil is a Cankar worm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our primary schools today. However, in environment where such an ugly situation is found, tention, conflict and anarchy dictate the tone of relationship between pupils, the teachers for a smooth and effective school management. Since the end of the Nigeria Biafra Civil War in 1970, academic excellence has been on the decline. This appears to be more pronounced in the primary schools. Poor academic performance has constituted a big problem not only for schools but the dynamic Nigeria society. The primary schools in Enugu Education zone have been faced with the problem, which is mostly reflected in common Entrance Examination Results. Millions of Naira being pumped into education in Nigeria in general and in Enugu State in particular not withstanding this issue of poor performance in education has continued to persist.
Enugu Education Zone has the highest numbers of primary schools in Enugu State. There are also schools recently opened in each zone for nomads with over one thousand plus qualified teachers. But then, these have not helped matters. Constant research in Curriculum development and the introduction of continuous assessment programme/scheme are yet to take care of this issue of poor academic performance in primary schools. Consequently these of course, are the major factors that motivated the selection of the topic of study by the researchers.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purposes of the study were as follows:
• To establish whether there is actually poor academic performance among Primary School Pupils in Enugu Education Zone.
• To determine factors responsible for the poor academic performance of primary school pupils.
• To find out whether qualified teachers for primary and Accounting education within the selected primary schools.
• To determine the effectiveness of primary and Accounting education teachers among the selected school.
• To determine the extent at which parental influence contribute to poor academic performance of pupils.
• To determine the strategies for improving the academic performance of primary school pupils etc.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study would be of immense help to the present and prospective policy makers of the Nigeria educational system in the areas of planning and effective utilization of resources. The study is knowledge and therefore would be of help to students and other researchers who might be interested in this and or other related areas of this study.
The findings of this study shall be beneficial and of immense help in identifying the possible factors responsible for this educational problem. From the study appropriate recommendations, answers to the issue of poor academic performance will be provided. Educational planners and Administrators, parents, the school and the primary school child who is directly involved will realize the appropriate roles they have to play for this issue of poor academic performance to stop.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To validate the findings of this study the following research questions were posed:
• What are the major roles of teachers for academic excellence at the primary school level?
• How effective is the teaching and learning of primary and Accounting education subjects in the school activities?
• To what extent does parental influence contribute to poor academic performance of pupils?
• What is the effect of social influences on the academic performance of primary school pupils?
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
• There is no statistical significance difference in the mean responses of the principals and staff and other respondents at (0.05) on well defined strategies for improving teachers’ and learners performance in the primary schools.
• There is no statistical significance difference in the mean responses of the teachers and other respondents (at 0.05) on the factor responsible for pupils poor academic performance.
• There is no statistical significance difference in the mean responses of teachers, staff and other respondents (at 0.05) on the teachers roles and the effect of social influences on the academic performance of primary school pupils.
DELIMITATION/SCOPE OF THE STUDY
• The study was delimited to the determination of the effectiveness of teaching and learning of primary and Accounting education subjects in primary schools.
• To determine the extent at which parent influence contribute to poor academic performance of primary school pupils.
• To determine the effects of social influence on the academic performance of primary school pupils.
• To determine other possible factors responsible for poor academic performance in primary schools.
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The research were confronted with a number of obstacles during the course of this study. Some of these limitations are discussed below:
Respondents: Some of the respondents exhibited negative character. Some bluntly refused to full our questionnaire or answers basic questions posed on them. Some of them reluctantly accepted to respond with some reservations and maintained that they were not in the best position to respond when actually they were.
Finance: There was a problem of inadequate finance to transport the researchers from their houses to places and the schools were information could be obtained. Inadequate finance restricted the researchers from obtaining certain necessary and useful resource materials. Thus, for a successful research work, money is a motivator.
Programme of Getting Accurate Statistical Data: It was difficult on the researchers to get accurate statistical data since there were different levels of teachers with diverse work experience from different fields and endeavours of life, and in different categories in positions from the selected primary schools.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Primary Education: is the first formal level of the 6 – 3 – 3 –4 system of Nigeria Education meant for children aged normally 6 to 11 in a formal educational Setting.
Education: is defined as the aggregate totality of all the process by which a child or the young adult develop his ability, attitude, knowledge, skills, competencies and other forms of behavior which are of positive value to the society in which he lives.
Monitoring: is the act or a relationship where one person (teacher) guides the other (student) in developing a philosophy of or a way of life.
Performance: is the act of achievement. It is a process where the student carryout the activities they have been taught and have been guided on what to do normally by the teacher.
Examination: is a device adopted for measuring and evaluation learners success in the teaching learning process etc.
