COMPARISON OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HOME ECONOMICS IN JUNIOR WASSCE EXAMINATIONS FROM 2008-2015 IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGES.
ABSTRACT
This study aims 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. The teachers, parents, guardians, school administrators, and the government are aware of the fluctuation in academic performance of students in Home Economics from 2008-2015 and this has been the major concern for them, hence, the need for this study. The survey employed a field research design in carrying out this study. Questionnaires were distributed to the students of JSS3 and SPSS was used to analyze the data.
CHAPTER ONE
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 revenue is usually invested in education. The performance of candidates on their examinations after the huge investments by parents and guardians has been of great concern to parents, institutions, and organizations, and even to the various levels of government. Performances by 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 determine the placement of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, and employment is of 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 is unquantifiable.
However, students’ performance in the subject has not been encouraging especially at the secondary school level. The 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 the 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’ qualifications and experience affect the 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 aim 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 subjects have been teacher-centered instead of student-centered. Educators are seeking alternative ways to teach Home Economics so as to change the situation. The problem is how the 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 their laudable importance but the 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 the skills and capabilities needed to meet up 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:
i) what is the prevalence of Federal Government College students’ performance in Home Economics Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015?
ii) what are the efforts of Home Economics teachers toward students’ performance in Home Economics in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015?
iii) 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:
i) to study the prevalence of Federal Government College students’ performance in Home Economics Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015
ii) to survey the efforts of Home Economics teachers toward students’ performance in Home Economics in Junior West African Examination Council from 2008-2015
iii) 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:
i) there is a significant relationship between the attitude of students towards Home Economics and academic performance
ii) 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 the body of knowledge in the areas of Home Economics, food, and nutrition.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on 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 Limitation 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 the 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: This 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, competencies, or values. Informally the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone
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