1.1 Introduction
Poor academic performance according to Aremu (2003) is a performance that is adjudged by the examiner and some other significant as falling below an expected standard. Poor academic performance has been observed in school subjects especially Mathematics and English language among primary school pupils (Adesemowo, 2005). Stresses that academic failure is not only frustrating to the pupils and the parents, its effects are equally grave on the society in terms of dearth of manpower in all spheres of the economy and politics. Education is supposed to be the bedrock and the foundation towards higher knowledge in tertiary institutions. It is an investment as well as an instrument that can be used to achieve a more rapid economic, social, political, technological, scientific and cultural development in the country (Aremu, 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The National Policy on Education (2004) stipulated that primary education is an instrument for national development that fosters the worth and development of the individual for further education and development, general development of the society and equality of educational opportunities to all Nigerian children irrespective of any real or marginal disabilities. The role of primary education is to lay the foundation for further education and if a good foundation is laid at this level, there are likely to be no problem at subsequent levels. However, different people at different times have passed the blame of poor performance in primary school to pupils because of their low retention, parental factors, association with wrong peers, low achievement, low retention, and the likes (Aremu & Sokan, 2003; Aremu & Oluwole 2001; Aremu, 2000).
Morakinyo (2003) believe that the falling level of academic achievement is attributable to teacher’s non-use of verbal reinforcement strategy. Others found out that the attitude of some teachers to their job is reflected in their poor attendance to lessons, lateness to school, unsavory comments about pupil’s performance that could damage their ego, poor method of teaching and the likes affect pupils’ academic performance.
Knowledge of science and technology is therefore a requirement in all countries and all people globally due to the many challenges that are facing them. These challenges include emergences of new drug resistant diseases, effects of genetic experimentation and engineering, ecological impact of modern technology, dangers of nuclear war and explosions and global warming among others (Alsop & Hicks, 2001).
Regardless of all the efforts, currently it is observed that the objectives for improving scientific literacy is not achieved, Science enrollment are relatively low, achievements in certain grade level is declining and teachers morale is low. In the past the more intellectual able students were the ones selected to pursue Science and Mathematics in secondary schools. But nowadays more of these students are less interested to continue with Science when they join universities (Voogot, 2001).
People frequently want jobs that meet their academic interests. People in general find that, for whatever reasons, they tend to be interested in certain subjects and disinterested in others from the time they are young children, and no matter what the financial rewards, taking a career in an area where one holds no interest is likely to be unbearable (Ryan, 2000). In this rapidly growing competitive market, industry prefers graduates, who have the potential to meet their research and development needs, and compete effectively with their counterparts worldwide.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Factors Influencing Poor Performance in Science Subject in Secondary School.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed the secondary schools students have been often faced with the problem of indecision most especially science students when they are about to choose a course for higher education. This problem has plagued many secondary school students for quite sometimes. It is such a problem that must be looked into, knowing fully well that the place of sciences in secondary education cannot be over emphasized in the educational development of a nation.
With good background, students still need to develop themselves on the subject areas they are keenly interested in and particularly that they have potentiality for. Many students have been found choosing course for their university education without considering the aspect of their potentiality and the directive of the school counselor where available, it is against this problem that this research intends to find out the factors that influence the choice of science subjects in secondary schools.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Factors Influencing Poor Performance in Science Subject in Secondary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain the environmental causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study;
- To examine the teacher’s factors instigating poor academic performance of students in the area under study;
- To determine the attitudes of pupils as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study; and
- To find out attitudes of parent as causes of students' poor academic performance in the area under study.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the environmental causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study?
- What are the factors of poor academic performance of students in the area under study?
- What are the attitudes of pupils as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study?
- What are the attitudes of parent as causes of students' poor academic performance in the area under study?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no environmental factors as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study
- H1: There are environmental factors as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study
- H1: There are teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of students in the area under study
1.7 Significance of Study
The relevance of the study lies in the fact that it will bring out and correct the factors that lead to poor academic performance in the secondary schools. It will also help the government the non-go-environment agencies and the society at large to know and appreciate their effort and give necessary support for the improvement of teaching and learning in the primary schools.
This study will also be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Factors Influencing Poor Performance in Science Subject in Secondary School using Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Poor Academic Performance: The causes for poor academic performance can be external or internal. External causes include: school environment, social interaction, teachers and teaching techniques.
Science Subjects: These involves subjects which are core to the examination board in Kenya secondary Education and they includes such subjects as Biology, chemistry, physics and others, for the purpose of this study the focus was on the factors influencing students choice on selecting them.
