THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL STUDIES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY FOUR PUPILS TAUGHT MATHEMATICS IN ORON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter has to do with the following concept as related to this investigation
- Background of the study
- Statement of the problem
- Purpose of the study
- Significance of the study
- Research questions
- Basic assumption of the study
- Delimitation of the study
- Limitation of the study and
- Definition of terms
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Social studies, the pivot on the entire social science oriented courses is originated from has generated a lot of worries among pupils in most primary institutions in the country for years. Apart from the fact that the present Nigerian society needs social studies for a better understating of the structure of the society, the activities of its members and human behaviour, there is need to endure understanding of the subject, which will emanate from individual self-perception.
In order to solve any problem the roof of the problem need be reveal. This research sought determine the extent which social studies influences pupil’s academic performance as well as stimulates general awareness on the need to develop positive attitude towards social studies.
Several theoretical frameworks exist within which attitude formation and changes have been studied. The first was functionalism. The functionalists attempt is to understand the reason people hold they attitude they do. Unless we know the psychological need which is met by holding of an attitude, we are in a poor position to predict when and how it will change. The functionalists approach to attitude formation has not stimulated much research (Freedman, Sears, & Carlsmith, 2007). Another theoretical dimension to the study of altitude formation and change was structuralism. Their approach invests attitude with perceptual, emotional, and motivational attributes, traditionally called cognitive, affective and conative (or action tendency) components. These attributes interact to determine whether an attitude will be positive or negative. As a rule favorable attitude are characterized by positive directions for all the dimension, unfavourable attitude tend to involve the reverse (Clifford, D. 1990).
Attitude toward a school subject is not innate but learned or developed, according to Glaser (1990), there is a great deal of interest in the application of learning theory to instructional issues and acquisition of knowledge.
The influence of social studies do affect pupils academic performance in a positive or negative way depending on their perception, which is always as a result of home background, culture, teacher, environmental factor etc.
According to previous finding the level in which the influences of social studies affect the academic performance of any child has to do with the child’s attitude the subject. The problem the entire world, not only Nigeria is facing now in social studies is caused by home background. Many parents do inculcate in their children a different perception towards it society, contrary to what is stipulated in the curriculum. Thus, in most cases is as a result of cultural diversity; this will automatically influence the child.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Unfortunately, social studies, which included in the primary school curriculum not only to inculcate in the pupils, their civic rights in the society as well as their duties and obligation to the society, but also to educate them on the characteristics of its society (locality, organisation, durability, and self-identification), is one of the most poorly evaluated, widely hated and abysmally understood subject in Nigeria Primary School system (Akpan 2000). It may have been lack of qualified teachers (Parsons, 1916); lack of space and materials (2003) and poor parental background (Nwangu, 2000) among others must have influenced the academic achievement of pupils in social studies.
The extent in which influence of social studies interferes with academic work of the learners is worth investigating.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The study investigates the influence of social studies on the academic performance of primary four pupils taught Mathematics in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Specifically, the research work aims at the following objectives;
- To find out whether the influence of social studies do affect primary four mathematics pupils academic performance
- To determine the relationship between boys and girls influence of social studies on their academic performance.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study would be an immense contribution towards the achievement in educational sector, especially in social studies, the root of all social science oriented courses. The result of this study would assist parents, teachers and government as well as our education experts in all ramifications.
It would make available information for use on further study on influence of social studies in schools.
It would assist not only the learners, but teachers, parents, even government of their role toward ensuring a successful social studies education.
The outcome of this study will help students/pupils to check their behaviour in social studies class and as well direct them on what is needed in order to cultivate a positive attitude toward social studies.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study seeks to answer the following questions;
- Does the influence of social studies affect the academic performance of primary four pupils in Oron Local Government Area?
- To what extent does the influence of social studies affect the academic performance of males and females primary four pupils in Oron.
1.6 BASIC ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY
(i) It is assumed that social studies do influence pupils, therefore may be the cause of their negative attitude toward the subject.
(ii) This “influence do affect pupils’ performance in academic work depending on the level.
(iii) The respondents would supply correct answers in the questionnaire
1.7 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work should be delimited into the following units;
- Influence of social studies.
- Academic performance of pupils
- Gender differences
- Attitude of teachers and learners (factors)
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research has a lot of limitation that are worth mentioning. The problem of transportation to get information from the pupils. The short time given for the completion of this research work has been a great limiting factor.
In considering the associated cost of undertaking this research study and in view of time limitation, few schools were selected for the study using stratified sampling technique.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The definition of terminologies used is conceptually and operationally defined to suit the purpose of this study.
Influence: The power or effect that something has to make somebody behave in a particular way. Thus, it can be rated as either positive or negative.
Academic Achievement: This refers to the knowledge and skills developed in school subject which leads to pupils scores in the subjects as determined by their promotion examination or any achievement test.
Academic Performance: This refers to the pupil’s performance in criterion reference test set by the investigator.
Attitude: They way you think and feel about something. It is an evaluation favourable or unfavourable of some person, objects, event or idea. In this context, it has to do with the pupil’s perspective, views and their mental position toward social studies in relation to its influence on them.
