Effects of the Economic Crisis on the Academic Performance of Primary School Pupils in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of this study is to explore and analyze the effects of the economic crisis on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Nigeria. To achieve this overarching goal, the study will focus on the following specific objectives:
- Assess the Impact of Reduced Household Income on Academic Performance
- Examine the Psychological Effects of Economic Hardship on Pupils
- Evaluate Changes in School Resources and Their Effect on Learning
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Economic Framework
Several economic studies have theoretically examined the potential effect of an economic crisis on children’s educational outcomes (for reviews, see Behrman and Deolalikar, 1991; Duryea et al., 2007; Fallon and Lucas, 2002; Dellas and Sakellaris, 2003; McIntyre and Pencavel, 2004; McKenzie, 2004; Schady, 2004). As mentioned earlier, a crisis affects educational outcomes such as school enrollment, attainment, attendance, and performance. In addition, a crisis affects children’s labor activities ,whether in the household or in the labor market. According to the existing economic studies, a child is exposed to one or more of the following negative effects during an economic crisis:
- Negative effect 1: The reduction in adult income makes it harder for the parents to bear the direct costs of education such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, uniforms, and private tutoring. Educational outcomes are consequently harmed because the child is either withdrawn from school or inadequately prepared for it.
- Negative effect 2: The reduction in adult income may also force parents to become more reliant on child labor. As a result, a child who prior to the crisis was not a child laborer may become a child laborer; if the child was already a child laborer prior to the crisis, she may have to work longer hours. This increase in child labor hours can harm educational outcomes because the additional labor is physically and emotionally draining and leaves fewer hours for studying. Furthermore, parents who have traditionally relied on child labor may respond to declining child wage rates by requiring that their child work more hours; again, such increases in hours worked is likely to harm educational outcomes.
- Negative effect 3: Reductions in hourly or daily wage rates of adults may force the parents to work longer hours, which in turn reduces the time that parents can devote to assisting their child with homework, reading, and other educational activities.
- Negative effect 4: Sensing weaker labor market prospects from a decline in school quality, parents may withdraw their child from school or become less supportive of their child’s educational endeavors.
The theory also predicts, however, that a child can be exposed to two positive effects during an economic crisis:
- Positive effect 1: A reduction in child wage rates may make child labor less attractive for parents. As a result, parents may encourage their child to substitute educational activities for work, which can potentially improve educational outcomes.
- Positive effect 2: Parents may become more supportive of their child’s educational endeavors if the crisis convinces parents that less-educated workers suffer more than educated workers
The discussion thus far indicates that there are forces that worsen a child’s educational outcomes and others that improve educational outcomes during an economic crisis. The net effect of a crisis on a child is therefore potentially ambiguous. By extension, the net effect of a crisis on all children in a country is also similarly theoretically ambiguous. As the next section shows, however, the large share of empirical research indicates that the net effect of an economic crisis on a child’s educational outcomes is for the most part negative, and that certain children are especially vulnerable. Several caveats about the potential educational effects of economic crisis should be addressed. Though unlikely, it is possible that a child is unaffected by all five negative effects and two positive effects. This may be the case for children whose parents and communities are entirely selfsufficient such as some indigenous groups. A second caveat is that this framework incorporates existing theories and that several other possible positive and negative effects are not considered because of a lack of theoretical and empirical research. For example, social norms about schooling may change during a crisis; these changed norms can affect educational outcomes positively or negatively. In addition, the psychological effects of enduring an economic crisis on parental support for education are unclear. The advantage of the framework presented is that it can be easily extended to incorporate new social and psychological research on the effects of an economic crisis.
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.
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.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effects of the economic crisis on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Ikorodu local government area of Lagos state. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing effects of the economic crisis on the academic performance of primary school pupils
Summary
This study was on effects of the economic crisis on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Ikorodu local government area of Lagos state. Three objectives were raised which included: Assess the Impact of Reduced Household Income on Academic Performance, examine the Psychological Effects of Economic Hardship on Pupils and evaluate Changes in School Resources and Their Effect on Learning. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected primary schools in Ikordu in Lagos state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The study on the effects of the economic crisis on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State highlights the significant challenges faced by pupils during periods of economic instability. The economic crisis in Ikorodu Local Government Area has had detrimental effects on primary school pupils’ academic performance. Reduced household income, increased family stress, and limited access to educational resources have contributed to lower academic achievement and widened socioeconomic disparities in educational outcomes.
Recommendations
Based on the conclusions drawn from the study, the following recommendations are proposed:
- Government and educational authorities should prioritize efforts to improve access to educational resources, including textbooks, technology, and extracurricular activities, particularly in low-income communities within Ikorodu Local Government Area.
- Schools should strive to create supportive learning environments that foster resilience and provide students with the necessary academic and emotional support to navigate economic challenges effectively.
- Invest in teacher training and professional development programs to equip educators with the skills and knowledge to address the diverse needs of pupils affected by economic crises, including trauma-informed teaching practices and socio-emotional learning strategies.
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