THE EFFECTS OF PARENTS BACKGROUND ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN INTEGRATED SCIENCE IN GAIUS OBASEKI GROUP OF SCHOOL

CHAPER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Over the years, the nation has been experiencing a drastic fall in the academic performance of pupils and students at the various level of education.  Scholars of different school of thought has attributed this ugly trend to many factor such as poor teaching methodology, inadequate instructional facilities and a lot more from the look of things, these scholars seems to heap the blames either on the student or the teachers who most times are not actually the immediate causes.

However, a chose observation reveals that this trend has an undeniable relationship with one parental background in terms of their socio-economic status.  Only recently the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria president Olusegun Obasenjo in his monthly presidential media chat, held in October 2003, cried out in regards to the poor academic situation terms that our----'' graduates are fast becoming more of half baked graduated---'' what a mess.

Meanwhile, as this scenario continues to thrive, many more meaningful individuals both from the academic and non-academic field  of the society not only shares their grievances they also point accusing fingers towards the teachers and the students. They give little or no attention to the student's socio-economic background, which from act appearances seem to be one fundamental cause of poor academic performance in school.

We have it on records that a child spends more time at home with his or her parents than he or she spends in school.  This makes the home of greater influence in this regard.  Little or no wonder it is said ''charity begins at home''

Be that as it may, we cannot over labour the fact that poor performance of a country's citizens at various level of education has a way of tarnishing or beautifying that countries image.

Considering the magnitude of this problem, it therefore becomes very expedient that this project be carried out as it is hoped that it will help in savaging the problem or situation as it were, to a very reasonable extent.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

It is almost becoming a common and accepted knowledge that poor performances of student in our school is due to the inadequacies of teachers or student non-challant attitude to study.  This is purely a wrong assumption that needs an investigation as we cannot afford to loss sight of the drastic effect that one’s parental background have on the academic performance of the child.

It is in cognisance of this that the following questions become very important.

1.What role does the socio-economic position of parent's play in the academic performance of the child?

2. To what extent does the level of education of parents affect the academic performance of pupils

3. Is there any relationship between living condition at home and academic performance of pupils?

4. How does the family structure in terms of monogamy, polygamy and size affect the academic achievement of  student

5. How far does the attitude of parents and guidance affect the academic performance of students?

1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY

The purpose of this study are one to establish the affects that ones parental background poses on the academic performance of the child. And two to suggest possible solutions on how student from poor homes can get along in their educational pursuit.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following statements will validated in the course of this study;

H01: There a no positive significant relationship between parental educational level and students’ academic performance.

H02: There is no significant positive relationship between parental socioeconomic status and students academic performance.

H03: There is no significant positive relationship  between the living conditions at home and students academic performance.

H04: There is no positive significant relationship between family structures and students’ academic achievement.

H05: There is no positive significant relationship between attitude and academic aspiration of parents towards their children, and academic performance of students.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This researcher work shall be of up most significance to three (3) categories of persons.

(1) Curriculum/Educational planners

(2) Teachers

(3) And of course parent/guidance it will be significant to curriculum or educational planners in that it will help them in planning adequately for students from different homes.

In the same vein, it will enable the teachers to know that students are not solely responsible for their poor performance thereby creating an avenue for the teacher to come to grips with some of the impact that parents background poses avail the teacher the opportunity to design a corrective measure which if adhered to, would spur both the teachers and pupils to greater academic achievement.

Over and above all, this study will serve as a challenge to parents to improving the conditions of the home thereby propelling their child (pupil) to greater heights.

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

This study was carried out in some selected secondary schools in  Local Government of Edo State.  These schools does include.

1. Gauis Obaseki Group of School

The investigation covered S.S.S 1-3 using at least ten (10) student randomly selected from each of the classes in the different schools so selected.

1.7 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

In order for the researcher to proffer solutions to the problem under investigation, the following assumptions were made.

That:

One, the level of education of parent affects the academic performance of students.

Two, the socio-economic position of parents plays a dominant role in the academic performance of the child.

Three, there is an undeniable relationship between living condition at home and the academic performance of students.

Four, the family structure in terms of monogamy, polygamy and size generally, affects the academic achievement of students.

Lastly, the attitude of parents and guidance affects the academic performance of students.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

All the terms used throughout the study was used in their denotative and general meaning and as such would not need any ''special definition''.

Parents: Person’s father and mother

Socio-economic: This has to do with the study of the society

Status: This has to do with the level, background of a person’s family education, influence, experience, finance etc

Socio-economic status: The study of society or societal details of a person’s family education experience etc.

Academic background: Involving details of a lot of reading and studying rather than practical or technical skills about a person.

Vicarious experience: Felt or experienced by heating or reading about somebody else doing something rather than by doing it yourself.

Authorian: Believing that people should obey authority and rules even when these are unfair and even if it means that they lose their personal freedom.

Authoritative: Showing that you expect people to obey and respect you.

Neglectful: Not giving enough care or attention to somebody or something.

Indulgent: Lending to allow somebody to have or do whatever they want.