1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Poor academic performance according to Aremu (2003) is a performance that is adjudged by the examine/testee 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). Aremu (2000) 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 at primary school level 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. 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.
The question therefore is what is the cause of this fallen standard and poor academic performance of pupils? Is the fault entirely that of teachers or pupils or both of them? Is it that pupils of today are non achievers because they have low intelligent quotient and a good neutral mechanism to be able to act purposefully, think rationally and deal effectively with academic tasks? Or of is it because teachers are no longer putting in much commitment as before? Or is it in teachers’ method of teaching and interaction with pupils? Or is the poor performance of pupils caused by parents’ perception of the causes of poor academic performance among primary school students in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the differential scholastic achievement of students in Nigeria has been and still a source of concern and research interest to educators, government and parents. This is so because of the great importance that education has on the national development of the country. All over the country, there is a consensus of opinion about the fallen standard of education in Nigeria (Adebule, 2004).
Parents and government are in total agreement that their huge investment on education is not yielding the desired dividend. Teachers also complain of student’s low performance at both internal and external examination. This problem are attributed to poor foundation from primary school due to poor teaching standards as well as other factors such poor funding of education by government as well as negligence by parents. It is against this constraint that the researcher sees the subject matter as an empirical problem worthy of investigation.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Factors Responsible for Primary School Pupils Poor Academic Performances in Primary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to:
- Determine the attitudes of pupils as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools;
- Ascertain environmental factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools;
- Examine teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools; and
- Find out attitudes of parent as causes of pupils poor academic performance in primary schools in the area under study.
1.4 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 attitudes of pupils as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools?
- What are the environmental factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools?
- What are teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools?
- What are the attitudes of parent as causes of pupils poor academic performance in primary schools in the area under study?
1.5 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 pupils in primary schools
- H1: There are no environmental factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools
- H1: There are teacher’s factors as causes of poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools
1.6 Significance of Study
The justification of the study lies in the fact that it will bring out and correct the factors that lead to poor academic performance in the public primary 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.
Furthermore, this study will be of immense benefit to 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.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Factors Responsible for Primary School Pupils Poor Academic Performances in Primary School using Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja as a case study.
1.8 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.
- 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).
- Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.
1.9 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. Regardless of what the cause may be, poor academic performance is not a situation that warrants punishment. It shouldn't be about blaming people.
