Causes and Effects of Truancy on Primary School Pupils Academic Performance in Mathematics
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study superficially find out
(i) To examine of truancy.
(ii) To explain causes of truancy.
(iii) To explain effects of truancy.
(iv) To suggest possible solution to the problem of this study.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literatures that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework and
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The Concept of Truancy
Current research does not give a standardized definition of either ‘truancy’ or ‘skipping school’. Oehme and Franzke (2002) describe this as a ‘confusion of concepts’. The two terms are partly used synonymously with the notions of school tiredness, school absenteeism, school phobia, school refusal behavior etc. (Tyerman 1968; Hersov and Berg 1980; Oehme and Franzke 2002; Ricking, 2003). In international research, truancy is defined as ‘unjustified intentional absence from school’ (Pinquardt and Masche, 1999; Van Petegem 1994).
According to Huzinga & Thornberry (2000), Truancy is defined as having an unexcused absence from school for one or more part of the day for at least three school days during five-day school week. Moreover, Salford City Council Report (2008) defined Truancy as the act when a child, who is believed to have been at school, fails to attend school classes without the permission or awareness of the parents or the school authority concerned. Truancy is an international unauthorized absence from school activities, (wikianswer.com, 2013). Echebiwe (2009) defined Truancy as a situation when a child under sixteen years of age who is registered at school fails to attend classes without prior formal permission from the parent or school authority. Therefore, Truancy is the practice of staying away from school without permission. A child who engages in this act is therefore referred to as a Truant. This implies that every child is expected to be in school and must be present in school and class attendance.
Truancy has caused a lot of harm to Nigeria educational system and has an ill-attitude on secondary students academic performance, and moral lives which has caused most youths to exhibit negative attitude such as armed robber, prostitution, substance abuse, substance trafficking, and other social crime ranging from pick-pocketing to secret cult (Stool, 2002). According to Reid (2000), truancy is defined as an action by a student being absent from school for no legitimate reason. Also, Hunt, Akyeampong and Sebates (2010) defined truancy as when a child missed school or class without an excuse from his/her parents or guardians. It also means a child leaving school or class without the permission from the teacher or principal. When a child is consistently late for school, he or she is considered to be a truant. A truant therefore is a student who stays away from school without proper leave permission from school authority or the parents. Also, the students who always tend to keep themselves from studies and avoid attending classes are called truants (Gosain, 2013). Teaslsey (2004) also defined truancy as a child who is absent from school on his own initiative without his or her parents‟ permission. However, according to Burke (2004), truancy can also be identified and characterized by neuroticism whereby student fear a teacher(s) makes him/her leave school and run back home for safety. In the same vein Van Breda (2006) describe truancy as multidimensional experience that student adapt with the combination of various social psychological and institutional factors.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine the causes and effects of truancy on primary school pupils academic performance in mathematics in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Ogun state. Selected schools in Abeokuta North local Government Area, Ogun State form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
In table above, item1 with mean response of 2.9 It is the action of pupils being away from school for no legitimate reason. Item 2 with mean score of 2.6 also accepted that when a pupil is constantly late to school. Item 3 with mean score of 5 accepted that Pupils who tend to keep to themselves and avoid attending classes. Item 4 with the mean score of 2.9 also accepted that when a pupils’ fear of a teacher makes him leave school. Item 1,2,3 and 4 have mean scores above 2.50. This indicates that respondents accepted that some of these are the meaning of truancy.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to examine a study of truancy among primary school pupils using schools in Abeokuta North local Government Area as a case study. The study specifically was aimed at truancy in primary sckool pupils. The study also determine the causes of truancy. More so the study further explained the effects of truancy. Additionally ,the study also suggested possible solutions to the problem of truancy. A total of 77 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn from teachers of the selected schools
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- Pupils are always or occasionally absent from school
- Most cases of truancy starts from home.
- Because of the truancy character in some student it is discovered that much pupils cheat during class work..
- The extent to which the effects of truancy affect primary school pupils.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:
- Pupils should be selective in types of friends they accompany in school. This will help them not to be truants among their peers.
- Parents should avoid quarrelling before their children and also show them care . This will help to reduce truancy influence by family background.
- School management should ensure that the school administration, rules and regulation are flexible. This is because rigid policy of school influence truancy among pupils.
- Student should be given adequate time in order for them to complete their assignment since incomplete homework, poor health and poor preparation for daily or weekly tests among others influence truancy.
- Parents should put in their best to make sure that children are completely provided for with their educational needs and also trained them morally. The increasing student registration at all level of education should be matched with corresponding qualified teachers and counselors.
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