CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education can be defined as the process through which knowledge; skills, attitudes and values are imparted for the purpose of integrating the individual in a given society, or changing the values and norms of a society. Education is considered a fundamental human right as well as a catalyst for economic growth and human development.

In Nigeria, as in any other country, this Process is organized and managed through a coherent system put in place by the Government.

It has been observed that the population of male students in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA of Anambra State has reduced drastically. Most male students no longer go to school instead they get engage in various activities such as crimes.

Truancy is one of the major reasons why there is low male enrolment in secondary school; male students prefer to engage themselves in business instead of going to school. This study is carried to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrolment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Education is the process or art of imparting knowledge, skill and judgment. It is however important that every child is entitled to right of been educated. Some factors has made it almost impossible for some children to harness their right to education. It has been a disturbing issue on the low enrolment of make students in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

One of the major causes of low enrolment of male students in secondary schools is poverty. Many families find it difficult to eat a three square meal per day. In such families, the male children are propelled to find a means of catering for their families thereby ignoring the significance of education. The sudden death of parents is also an important factor responsible for low male enrollment in secondary school. The male children take up the burden to cater for their siblings as their sense of duty. The burden of these responsibilities makes it impossible for them to get enrolled in schools.

Onitsha been a business metropolis, most male children prefer to go into businesses instead of going to school. It has been observed that male children in Onitsha are put to learn one trade or the other at a very young age. The desire to venture into business at such age reduces the possibility of them going to schools. So this is focused to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrolment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

The general objective of this study is to examine Teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrolment in the secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA. The specific objectives are:

1.     To find out if poverty is a factor responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

2.     To ascertain if sudden death of parents is a factor responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

3.     To examine if lack of parents’ interest in education is responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

4.     To find out if poor learning environment is responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

5.     To determine if lack of sponsors plays a role in the low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The relevant research questions related to this study are:

1.     Is poverty a factor responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA?

2.     Is sudden death of parents a factor responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA?

3.     Is lack of parents’ interest in education responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA?

4.     Is poor learning environment is responsible for low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA?

5.     Does lack of sponsors plays a role in the low male enrolment in secondary schools in Onitsha South LGA?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

The finding from this study is very useful to the managements of secondary school because it elucidates the major factors responsible for low enrollment of male students in secondary schools.

The signifiacance of education cannot be over emphasized, it is important for male children to explore their right to education. Education is power.

The finding from this study can be used as a reference material for researchers who choose to make further research on topics related to this study.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is restricted to teachers’ perception on the causes of low male enrolment in the secondary schools, using Onitsha South LGA as case study.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Some of the major constraints the researchers encountered in putting up this research include lack of time, lack of willingness to give information by respondent and also limited resources

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS     

An enrolment is the number of people who are enrolled at an institution or on a course.

Education: is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Truancy is any intentional, unjustified, unauthorized, or illegal absence from compulsory education. It is absence caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate excused absences, such as ones related to medical conditions.

Teacher: is a person whose job is to teach students about certain subjects