The Influence of Environment and Hereditary on Health Status of Primary School Pupils in Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
The study’s main objective is to examine the influence of environment and hereditary on the health status of primary school pupils in Nigeria.
- To examine the influence of the environment on the health status of pupils.
- To assess the influence of hereditary factors on the health status of pupils.
- To examine the effect of environment and hereditary factors on the pupil’s academic performance.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Primary school Age Child And Primary school education
In relation to Nigerian educational system, the primary school age child is from 3 to 5 years. At this age children display great curiosity about the happenings and objects around them, even as they engage in a variety of activities such as: undertaking and solving challenging tasks, learning basic skills through direct play and various social interactions, and playing games with their peers (Abolarin, 2010). The developmental task of this period is to develop active and purposeful behaviours, to be able to cope with using their initiatives in doing some things on their own. If they are allowed to explore their environment and are rewarded for their effort and their numerous questions are answered they will develop a sense of initiative and become confident of their ability to make decisions. But if they are discouraged either through criticism or undue restrictions, they will develop a sense of guilt over self initiated activities and suppress their curiosity (Erikson, 1968). Erickson’s theory on the psycho-social development of the child provides a key understanding on how to adapt any educational service delivery to develop high self esteem, decision making and relationship skills in the primary schoolers.
Primary school education is the education given in an educational institution to children from age 3-5 years who are yet to attain the school-going age. It is a part of early childhood education (FRN, 2004). The focus is on developing in children background skills and knowledge that will prepare them for primary school education prior to their entering primary school (FRN, 1998). As it relates to primary schoolprogramme, formal education is defined as a process whereby some qualified, experienced and parent-like teachers direct and guide the growth and development of school pupils towards achieving basic learning skills for success in life (Ojameruaye, 2010). Primary school education emphasizes availability of the right type of environment for the individual child to develop physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and morally. This will enable him to develop harmoniously within himself and together with other people in his surroundings. The curriculum of a typical primary schoolschool focuses on the teaching of English language through recognition of letters of the alphabets, pronunciation of words, construction of simple sentences, recognition of numbers, counting and simple addition of numbers, identification of shapes and colours of objects, drawing and painting, writing, reading, rhymes’ recitation, story-telling etc (Barnett, 2006). The factors that contribute to effective learning outcome of primary school age children are many, only a few of them are presently discussed.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The study employs quantitative descriptive research design to examine the influence of environment and hereditary on health status of primary school pupils in Nigeria.
Sources of Data
The data for this study were generated from two main sources; Primary sources and secondary sources. The primary sources include questionnaire, interviews and observation. The secondary sources include journals, bulletins, textbooks and the internet.
Population of the study
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 (Prince Udoyen: 2019). In this study the study population constitute of teachers and primary school students in Jos north Local Government Area, Plateau state.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Results
Presentation of demographic variable
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
This study was carried out on the influence of environment and hereditary on health status of primary school pupils in Nigeria.
The study dealing with the influence of heredity and environmental factors on health status is quite large. A large number of books have focused on the heredity environment controversy. Modern research indicates that a combination of heredity and environment constructs us all. Both external and internal variables combine to create personalities and behaviours of human beings having unique characteristics. There are different debates regarding the contribution of specific percentages of heredity and environmental factors in developing the health status of learners. Family studies, twin studies and adoption studies help to get idea about the factors affecting intelligence. Characteristics of human beings are diverse in nature.
The findings of the study revealed that:
- Primary School Students of Jos north Local Government Area have some knowledge of environmental sanitation.
- There is a significant difference in the personal and environmental practices of primary school students who received instructions from health officials and those who did not.
- Fewer students had the privilege of invitation of health specialists to their schools.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following recommendations:
- The students should be encouraged to put their knowledge of environmental sanitation into action or practice.
- The schools should invite expert or specialists to talk to students about environmental sanitation.
- The Government should assist in providing health promoting facilities such as toilets, water supply, refuse bins, hand washing facilities, shovel etc in Primary schools for proper executing of health practices.
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