Teachers Perception of Their Profession, it’s Influence on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Etche LGA
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to ascertain teachers perception of their profession and its influence on academic achievement of secondary school students in Etche LGA. But for the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objective;
- To investigate the impact of teachers perception of their profession on students’ academic performance
- To examine the role of teachers in the academic development of the students
- To investigate the relationship between teachers perception of teaching profession and student academic performance
- To proffer suggested solution to addressed the stated problem
CHAPTER TWO
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Education is the key to participation in the highly competitive global economy of the 21st century based on technological revolution, communication and transfer of information as well as major changes in production, transport, distribution and the economic value of knowledge. In other words, education is the fulcrum of modern day socio-political and economic development. The binding relationship among education, economy and society is interactive. To this end, the teacher plays a pivotal role in the educational development of any society and nation (Ololube, 2004). It has been said that no nation can grow beyond the quality of its education (teachers) and that a nation can only develop meaningfully and attain professionalism through a virile teaching profession (Obemeata, 1999). Teaching is one of the oldest of human activities or professions because in those days, parents, elders in the community, religious leaders and other adults took it upon themselves to teach the young ones how to speak, act and, or, perform any other activity that might be required of them. Hence the teacher was seen as an important personality in the society. As important and sensitive as teaching is in the society, there have been divergent views held by people in the society about teaching. These divergent views however have influenced the perception that people have about teaching in the society. For instance, teaching has been seen as an attempt to bring about effective and desirable change in learners and the education system through the use of various strategies (Adeyemi 2001, Dada 1999). This implies that teaching is not restricted to just a single activity but a variety of activities some of which are quite distinct from one another. Thus teaching is seen as a body of actions that is intended to bring about learning through conscious and deliberate efforts by a matured or experienced person (Akinpelu, 1981). This was why in the 1950s through the early 1980s teachers and the teaching profession were accorded high status in the society because they performed their roles in promoting national development with high sense of efficiency and responsibility. This high sense of commitment has been attributed to three major factors namely; their good social status, economic status and conducive working environment (Achimugu, 2005). Teachers atthat time were greatly honoured, dignified and highly respected by parents in particular and the society at large. The teacher was seen as a custodian of knowledge and an influential and inspiring personality in the society. He was rated and respected over and above other professionals such that some parents would want their children to become teachers.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely
-Primary source and
secondary source
primary source: These are materials of statistical investigation, which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary data: These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher in interested in getting information from for the study teachers perception of their profession, its influence on academic achievement of secondary school students in Etche 200 staff of selected secondary schools was randomly selected by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to investigate teachers perception of their profession, influence on academic achievement of secondary school students in Etche LGA.
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 the challenges of teachers perception of their profession.
Summary
That teaching is a profession in Nigeria is not in doubt. However, when compared to other professions like law, engineering and medical professions, teaching continue to enjoy low esteem and professional autonomy in the country. This is perhaps evident in the yearly University Matriculation Examination (UME) and Monotechnic/Polytechnic and Colleges of Education of Education Examination (MPCE) now Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) where candidates choose courses in teacher education programme (Faculty of Education and Colleges of Education) as a last resort. Teachers who are the practitioners do not seem to want their children and or wards to choose teaching as a profession. This might not be unconnected with the unattractive reward system, low self-esteem among other factors (Viatonu, 1999).
Conclusion
The study has revealed that male teachers with positive perception of teaching job have cordial relationship with the students and this promotes students’ interest in school work. On the other hand, male teachers who see teaching job as a stepping-stone establish non-cordial relationship with the students and this influences their interest in school work. This set of male teachers see teaching profession as feminine based. It is important to note that male teachers’ perception of the teaching job has significant influence on their relationship with the students.
Recommendation
Based on the finding of this study, the researchers recommend that males seeking teaching appointment should possess teaching qualification and should also become registered members of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Government should endeavour to make teaching job attractive by providing enough classroom accommodation, staff rooms, toilet facilities and writing materials. Regular inspection of schools should be conducted in order to discipline teachers who are not interested in teaching. Such male teachers should be sacked and replaced with those who need the job. Rapid promotions, salaries and allowances should be paid as at when due.
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