THE FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF SCHOOL SUBJECTS BY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

From the secondary school age, the adolescents are oen faced with the problems of choosing subjects that are suitable and relevant for the attainment of a dream career. This process of choice making leads the adolescent to select one form of subject or the other in which he/she is best suited. According to Okeke (1993) in pre-colonial Nigeria, the acquisition of skills did not require more specialized assistant because it was used informally at home, in families, in village squares and at moon light games. These purposes were clearly understood by the citizens who imparted the skills such as practical transmission of local customs, moral, religious and social values. Furthermore, it was a situation in which young people suddenly learnt their father’s profession. Therefore, if the father was a blacksmith, what this means is that abilities, interest and occupational needs of the pre-colonial society and other variable factors were not considered before choosing occupation by children. It has also been observed that in a simple society, choice of career of subjects relating to such career does not require specialized assistance. In such situation, parents or even peer group could be of influence in some society; there has been little or no knowledge of what goes on in schools. It becomes pertinent that the schools should have valuable assistance in this direction. Students who pass their secondary final examination could always secure employment. This secondary school certificate serves as visa for employment and for admission into higher institutions. In modern age, the quest for knowledge and excellence has made the society more complex and as a result creates the problems of career choice among youths just coming out from secondary schools.

Often, the adolescent students choose subjects for which they have no interest or ability on and the effect is always failure on the part of the students and in some cases, frustration which eventually leads to drop out with thus choosing a suitable and interesting subjects becomes every developing adolescent’s problem which he or she must in one time or the other face in life time. This eventually becomes not just the individual student’s problem but societal and government responsibility. Most importantly, the choice of subject is very crucial in the lives of students as it may affect every aspect of their lives. It is so because it determines the student’s career lives. A right choice in subject making will always aord the students the opportunity to actualize potentials in their chosen future career. Jauyeola (1997) opined that our young ones need constant guidance in choice of subject. This is because it is common find students choosing subjects for which they have little or no aptitude or interest only to end frustration in the long run.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Owing to the fact that a country’s development lies on the youths of the country which the next generation and engine to growth , therefore, this study intends to examine the specific factors or issues that serve as a barrier to choice of school subjects by senior secondary school students.