Learning environment and Pupil academic achievement of Primary Schools in Rivers State.
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
To investigate the relationship between learning environment and pupils academic performance The study sought to fulfill the following objectives;
- To examine the relationship between school environment and pupils academic performance.
- To investigate the relationship between the psychological environment of the pupil and performance.
- To examine the relationship between home environment and pupil’s academic performance.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter looks at what learning environment is and how environment affects the pupil’s performance. The chapter explores the different variables that constitute to a learning environment that is the psychological, social and economic as well as home environment.
Theories on Learning
There are theories that talk about learning and what others have said about how environment affects pupil’s academic performance. These theories include: the motivation theory, the hierarchy of needs theory and the social learning theory as discussed below.
Motivation Theory
Motivation is the force that initiates, guides and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. The forces that lie beneath motivation can be biological, social, emotional or cognitive in nature. There are several aspects of motivation theory such as instinct theory of motivation in which people are motivated to behave in certain ways because they are evolutionarily programmed to do so. An example of this is the seasonal migration of animals; a behavior pattern that is inborn. There is also the incentive theory of motivation that suggests that people are motivated to do things because of external rewards such as monetary rewards. The drive theory of motivation also states that people are motivated to take certain actions in order to reduce the internal tension that is caused by unmet needs. This theory is useful in explaining behaviors that have a strong biological component, such as hunger or thirst. The problem with the drive theory of motivation is that these behaviors are not always motivated purely by physiological needs. For example, people often eat even when they are not really hungry. The humanistic theory of motivation is based on the idea that people also have strong cognitive reasons to perform various actions
(Winslow, 2012). The current study will apply humanistic and incentive aspects to determine the extent to which the two variables have a significant impact of pupils’ academic performance
Hierarchy of Needs Theory
The motivation theory integrates well with Abraham Maslow’s of the hierarchy of needs. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs presents different motivations at different levels. First, people are motivated to fulfill basic biological needs for food and shelter, as well as those of safety, love and esteem. Once the lower level needs have been met, the primary motivator becomes the need for self-actualization, or the desire to fulfill one’s individual potential.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter consists of the methods that were used to collect data, the area of study, research design, target population, sample size and sampling procedure, research instruments, validity, reliability, data collection procedures, methods of data analysis, ethical considerations, operational definition of variables and summary.
Study location
The research was carried out in andoni of rivers state . andoni has 39 public primary Schools with a total population of 359 teachers and 11, 236 pupils.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENATION AND INTERPRETATION
Introduction
This chapter presents the data that was found on influence of learning environment on pupil academic performance in First school leaving certificate in Andoni, rivers state . The research was conducted on sample size of 78 teachers and 91 pupils out of which 75 teachers and 90 pupils completed and returned the questionnaires duly filled in making a response rate of 96.2% for the teachers and 98.9% for the pupils. Mugenda and Mugenda (1999) stated that a response rate of 50% and above is a good one for statistical reporting. The study made use of frequencies (absolute and relative) on single response questions. The findings were then presented in tables, graphs and charts as appropriate with explanations being given in prose.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter presents summary, conclusion and recommendations of the study in line with the influence of learning environment on pupil academic performance in First school leaving certificate in Andoni, rivers state .
Summary of Findings
Factors Influencing Performance in School Environment
The study established that there is lack of teachers, lack of textbooks and poor classrooms with no desks. This indicates that the teacher: pupil ratio is very high in majority of the public schools and was a major factor affecting performance. Other major factors that hindered the pupils’ performance were lack of teaching and learning resources such as books and lack of adequate facilities such as classrooms and desks. The TPR in public schools of 60:1 is very high as compared to the standard set by the United Nations for good quality of education of 40:1 (UNESCO, 2005 p19)
Recommendations
- The study recommends that to avert the problem of declining pupils’ academic performance in schools the government and other stakeholders should invent new policies and strategies to improve the school environment.
- The study further recommends that the school management and other policy makers in the education sector should sensitize the parents and pupils on ways of improving the home environment and make it more conducive for learning.
Suggestions for further studies
Since this study was on influence of learning environment on pupil academic performance in First school leaving certificate in Andoni, rivers state , the study recommends that;
- Similar study should be done in other Division for comparison purposes and to allow for generalization of findings on the influence of learning environment on pupil academic performance in First school leaving certificate in Nigeria.
References
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- Bradley, R. H, Caadwell, B and Rock, S. L, (1988) Home Environment and School Performance:
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- Child Development; 59: 852- 867
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