The Effect of Inadequate Infrastructural Facilities on the Academic Performance of Pupils in Public Primary Schools
CHAPTER ONE
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research work is an attempt to;
Analyse the effects of inadequate infrastructural facilities on the academic performance of pupils in public primary schools. Examine functional of infrastructural facilities on the academic performance of pupils in public primary schools. To fulfil the desired vision for the maintenance of school infrastructural facilities on the academic performance of pupils in public primary schools by the school administrators. To make recommendations of various ways these infrastructural facilities can be provide and use effectively by teacher to enhancing effective teaching and learning.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
This section examines literature related to the study. The review is examined under the influence of inadequate infrastructure on academic performance in public primary schools from global, regional and local perspectives. Relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks have also been provided.
Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools
The role of primary education is to lay the foundation for further education and if a good foundation is laid at this level, there are likely to be no problem at subsequent levels. Different people at different times have passed the blame of poor performance in primary school to pupils because of their low retention, parental factors, association with wrong peers, low achievement, low retention, and the likes Aremu & Sokan, (2003), Aremu & Oluwole (2001), Poor academic performance according to Aremu (2000) is a performance that is adjudged by the examiner and some other significant as falling below an expected standard. Poor academic performance has been observed in schools especially public primary schools Adesemowo, (2005). Aremu (2000) stresses that academic failure is not only frustrating to the pupils and the parents, its effects are equally grave on the society in terms of dearth of manpower in all spheres of the economy and politics.
Influence of Libraries on Academic Achievement
Oxford advanced learners dictionary described a library as a building or room in which collection of books, tapes, newspapers etc. are kept for people to read, study or borrow.
Library is an essential factor in teaching-learning process. It forms one of the most important educational services. The educational process functions in a world of books. The chief purpose of a school library is to make available to the pupil, at his easy convenience, all books, periodicals and other reproduced materials which are of interest and value to him but which are not provided or assigned to him as basic or supplementary textbooks. The importance of library has been demonstrated by the government when she expressed in the National Policy on Education (NPE) that every state Ministry needs to provide funds for the establishment of libraries in all her educational institutions and to train librarians and library assistants. As a resource, it occupies a central and primary place in any school system. It supports all functions of school-teaching and provides service and guidance to its readers.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This section presents Methodology used in the study. It is presented under; Research Design, Target population, Sample Size ,Sampling Technique and, Research Instruments, Validity of Research instruments, Reliability of Research instruments, Data collection procedures and Data Analysis Techniques.
Research Design
This study used a descriptive survey research design. In using this design, data collection was carried out in a structured process. Kumar (2005) argues that the goal of descriptive research is to describe the characteristics of a selected phenomenon and involves the collection of data without manipulation of variables. The sole purpose of descriptive research is to provide an accurate and valid representation of the factors or variables that are relevant to the research question .Descriptive survey research is helpful in indicating trends in attitudes and behaviors, and enables generalization of the findings of the research study to be done. Neuman, (2000). This design is appropriate for this study because it will enhance the amount of quality information.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION
Introduction
This chapter contains data analysis, presentation and interpretation of findings. The study intended to investigate the influence of inadequate infrastructure on academic performance in public primary schools. The chapter discusses results of the study under the following headings: questionnaire return rate, demographic characteristics of the respondents, objectives of the study namely how the state of school library, classrooms, and school desk influence academic performance in public primary schools in Abeokuta north local government area of Ogun State.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter focuses on the summary of findings of the study which formed the foundation for discussions. The discussions provided a firm basis upon which conclusions and recommendations were advanced to address the influence of inadequate infrastructure on academic performance in public primary schools in Abeokuta north local government area of Ogun State. It also includes suggested areas for further research.
Summary of Findings
The following are the key findings presented under the three objectives of the study as follows
Library, Librarian, Conducive learning environment, Qualified teachers, Adequate chairs in the classroom, etc are among the most valuable assets a school requires for the effect teaching of pupils.
on the academic performance of pupils in public primary schools? Inadequate fund, Overcrowded classroom, Poor learning environment, Epileptic power supply, Government policy on education, etc are among the causes of inadequate infrastructural facilities on public primary schools in Abeokuta north local government area, Ogun State.
Donation by government to finance public schools, Donation from parents, Equipping of schools with necessary infrastructure by the Ministry of Education are among the measures that can be taken to ensure adequate equipping of infrastructure in public primary schools.
The effects of inadequate infrastructure on teaching and learning is that it: Makes learning and teaching difficult for the students and teachers; Makes learning uninteresting; Makes teachers work difficult; Impacts negatively on the performance of students; Causes truancy in school, etc
Conclusion of the Study
The study concluded that, in general, infrastructure in public primary schools in Abeokuta north local government area is poor. There was only one primary school that had a library and even this one had inadequate study materials. Also most classrooms in all the schools were overcrowded with nearly all learners sharing desks in classrooms that called for painting of the walls as well as plastering and cementing the floors. While accepting that infrastructure is just one determinant factor, it would not be far-fetched to conclude that infrastructure has been a key factor in the below average performance of the pupils in national examinations over the years.
Recommendations
The following policy recommendations were made from the findings of this study.
- The Ministry of Education should ensure that schools infrastructure, including spacious and well-tendered classrooms with adequate number of desks should be availed to every public primary school.
- In addition, the Ministry of Education should ensure that every primary school has a spacious library that has an adequate amount of relevant books.
- In this effort, the Ministry should seek cooperation of donors that included concerned parents.
REFERENCES
- Abagi&Olweya (1999).Achieving Universal Primary Education in Kenya – Where Reality Lies: Challenges and Future Strategies. Nairobi: Institute of Policy Analysis and Research.
- Adaralegbe, A. (1983). Secondary Education in Nigeria: Trends, Progress, Problems and Issues in Adesina
- Akinwumiju, J.A. and Orimoloye, P.S. (1987). Accountability in Public Examination: The Situation in Nigeria (1985 WASC/GCE O-level Examinations). In A. Dada (ed).
- Approaches. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Publishers.
- Aremu, A.O. (2000). Impact of Home, School and Government on Primary School Pupils’ Academic Performance. Journal of Exceptional Child, 5(1), 106-110.
- Aremu, A.O. & Sokan, B.O. (2003).A Multi-causal Evaluation of Academic Performance of Nigerian Learners: Issues and Implications for National Development.Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, Iba
- Aremu, O. & Oluwole, O. (2001). Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement: The Moderating Factor. Ibadan, Ansar-Udeen Publications.
