1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Education is regarded as the most fundamental tool for social and political development and the acquisition of important technical and vocational skills. Because of this, a huge share of the nation's revenuesis usually invested in education. The performance of candidates on their examinations after the huge investments by parents and guardians has been of a great concern to parents, institutions and organizations and even to the various levels of government. Performancesby students in these examinations have implications for the overall result of excellent, good, fair or poor given to a student.
The broad aims of secondary school education in Nigeria, as stated in the National Policy of Education (FME, 1982), are to prepare the individual child for (i) useful living in the society; and (ii) for higher education. School certificate examinations, usually determines the placement of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions and employment are of a great concern. Postsecondary education institutions are overtly dissatisfied with the incompetence of many entrants who have gained admission into courses that they are not prepared for. The public likewise disparages the falling or fallen standard of education as evidenced by the lack of skills and personal integrity of many school leavers (Udor&Ubahakwe, 1979; Ololube, 2008b).
There are many factors that affecting the performance of students in education attainment and this is what has prompted the current study. In spite of the complex factors influencing students' achievement, various studies are pointing to the evidence that institutional factors are associated with academic performance not only in Home Economics alone but also in other subjects. Home Economics is a subject needed by every person irrespective of their profession. For anyone to be more productive, self-reliant, self-independent and self-employed, the knowledge of Home Economics is important. Home Economics education, which is one of the arms of vocational and technical education, is a multi-disciplinary subject that embraces a very large area and draws from other disciplines such as arts and sciences in solving physical, social, economic and political problems of families, individuals and society (Suara and Dairo 1997). It is therefore, a very comprehensive and all embracing discipline whose contribution to humanity and politics are unquantifiable.
However, students' performance in the subject has not been encouraging especially at the secondary school level. Secondary school level is the intermediary level between the basic and tertiary level where systematic and organized education is offered. It is believed that at this level of education, desired attitude, skill and knowledge could be obtained by the recipients. Academic performance according to Eze, Ezenwafor and Obidile (2016) is the outcome of students' effort in examinations. Several studies have revealed the various factors that are responsible for students' academic performance (both negatively and positively). It was however revealed by Browny&Sunniya, (2002) that change of school, family break up, teacher absence, parent illness and death of a family member, student's illness, learning disability caused by visual or hearing impairment and student's attitude towards learning as causes of poor academic performance.
Conclusively, academic performances of students in Home Economics are usually due to related factors such as negative attitude of students towards Home Economics as a difficult subject, students' academic aptitude, past and present academic performances, insufficient effort and poor motivation. Also teachers' qualification and experience affect academic performance of students in Home Economics. Poor application of teaching methods, lack of fund, inadequate teaching experience, lack of teaching aids, lack of qualified teachers and wrong methods of teaching could influence students' interest in Home Economics, unavailability of current text-books in Home Economics as one of the causes of poor academic performance of students in Home Economics. This study will therefore aimed to compare the academic performance of junior secondary school students in Home Economics in junior West African Senior Secondary School Examination from 2008-2015 in Federal Government Colleges using Federal Government College Ogbomoso and Federal Government Girls College Oyo State as case studies.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
There have been significant interests in the high rate of failure in Home Economics in secondary schools shows that teaching and learning in these subjectshave been teacher centred instead of student-centred. Educators are seeking for alternative ways to teach Home Economics so as to change the situation. The problem is how method of teaching can improve students' academic achievement in Home Economics in secondary schools.
However, Home Economics education subjects ought to attract many students because of its laudable importance but reverse has been the case. The reason for this probably is due to people's perception that it does not require specialized kind of training. People are probably not aware of the importance of the vocational and technical subject which helps students receive formation and to be able to find solutions to the demanding problems. Also, it enables the students to acquire skills and capabilitiesneeded to meet up with the demands of the environment. This study therefore compares the academic performance of junior secondary school students in Home Economics in junior West African Senior Secondary School Examination from 2008-2015 in Federal Government Colleges using Federal Government College Ogbomoso and Federal Government Girls College Oyo State as case studies.
1.3 Research Questions
The following are some of the questions which this study intends to answer:
- What is the prevalence of Federal Government College students' performance in Home Economics Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015?
- What are the efforts of Home Economics teachers toward students' performance in Home Economics in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015?
- What are the attitudes of students of Federal Government Colleges towards Home Economics Examination in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of this study was to examine compares the academic performance of junior secondary school students in Home Economics in junior West African Senior Secondary School Examination from 2008-2015 in Federal Government Colleges using Federal Government College Ogbomoso and Federal Government Girls College Oyo State as case studies.The specific objective included:
- To study the prevalence of Federal Government College students' performance in Home Economics Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015
- To survey the efforts of Home Economics teachers toward students' performance in Home Economics in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015
- To inquire the attitudes of students of Federal Government Colleges towards Home Economics Examination in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The research hypotheses to be tested include:
- There is a significant relationship between the attitude of students towards Home Economics and academic performance
- There is a significant correlation between Home Economics teachers toward students' performance in Home Economics
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is will be beneficial to students, teachers, school administrators and the government in understanding the significant contributions to Home Economics to the development of the country. Home Economics has an extremely important place in our educational system today. No other academic discipline incorporates in its curriculum as many pertinent life skills that will help students succeed independent of their chosen career paths. The knowledge obtained through Home Economics will prove valuable throughout the lifespan. It will as well contribute to body of knowledge in the areas of Home Economics, food and nutrition.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuseson the comparison of the academic performance of junior secondary school students in Home Economics in junior West African Senior Secondary School Examination from 2008-2015 in Federal Government Colleges using Federal Government College Ogbomoso and Federal Government Girls College Oyo State as case studies. Therefore, it shall be limited to only the junior students of these two colleges.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The only constraint encountered by the researcher was finance. This limited the researcher to print just one hundred and twenty questionnaires as against the proposed two hundred and fifty questionnaires. The researcher, however, came up with findings that would be worth making reference to in future and also contribute to the existing literature.
1.9 Definitions of Terms
The following terms were used in the course of this study:
Academic Performance:
Scores attained in form one end of year examination.
Home Economics:
Field of study that deals with the Home Economics and management of the home and community.It deals with the relationship between individuals, families, communities, and the environment in which they live.
Secondary school:
Is the next step up from primary school. Secondaryschools are often called high schools in the United States. In Britain, secondaryschools may be public schools, grammar schools or comprehensive schools
Teachers:
Persons who help others to acquire knowledge, competences or values. Informally the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone.
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