Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools
Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools in Onna Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. From the population of the study comprising (nine) 9 primary schools with a total of (2,800) pupils, 200 hundred pupils were selected to form a sample size through random sampling techniques. Pupils’ performance test in English Language was used as instrument for the study.
Independent t-test was the method of data analysis used to calculate the responses collected from the respondents. From the findings, the results indicated that Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary School. Finally, it was recommended that parents and all the significant others at homes should make home environments to be learning stimulating and study friendly for pupils.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page – – – – – – – – –
Certification – – – – – – – –
Dedication – – – – – – – – –
Acknowledgements – – – – – – –
Abstract – – – – – – – – –
Table of contents – – – – – – –
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study – – – – –
1.2 Statement of the problem – – – – –
1.3 Purpose of the study – – – – – –
1.4 Significance of the study – – – – –
1.5 Research questions – – – – – –
1.6 Research Hypothesis – – – – – –
1.7 Limitation of the study – – – – – –
1.8 Definition of terms – – – – – –
CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Parental Educational Status and Pupils
Academic Performance in English Language –
2.2 Parental economic Status and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language – – – – –
2.3 Parental Occupation and Pupil Academic Performance
in English Language – – – – – –
2.4 Chapter Summary – – – – – – –
CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Area – – – – – – –
3.2 Research Design – – – – – – –
3.3 Population of the study – – – – –
3.4 Sample and sampling size – – – – –
3.5 Instrumentation – – – – – –
3.6 Validity of the Instrument – – – – –
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument – – – – –
3.8 Administration of instrument – – – –
3.9 Scoring of the Instrument – – – – –
3.10 Method of Data Analysis – – – – –
CHAPTER FOUR – DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Analysis – – – – – – –
4.2 Discussion of findings – – – – – –
CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – –
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – –
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – –
References
Questionnaire
Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The home is the primary institution for learning. Home as perceived by Christe (2009) is defined as a place which an individual or a family can rest and store personal property
A home is a place where pupils live with their parents or guardian and it is the place where they are groomed. It is a place where the pupils begin to learn the norms and values of the society in which they find themselves. The family is a social unit in any society and it is the source of early stimulation and experience in children (Collins, 2007).
The home influences the child at the most earliest possible time of his life at a time when his mind is most receptive. It provides the first impression which may last through the whole life of the child. The child often sees the parents, siblings and things in their immediate environment to be most significant and they are capable of promoting or diminishing him in self worth and academic performance (Ekanem, 2004).
The family has powerful effects on the child and its importance as a primary agent of socialization could in no doubt enhance or hinders the academic achievement of the child depending on the social climate in the family; variance in psycho-social emotional fortification in the family background could be an indicator to high or low academic performance of students, bearing in mind the intervening effects of high and low socio-economic status and emotional stability of pupils, which are pre-requites to academic performance (Adebule, 2004). This is because psychological problems are potential sources of trouble with learning.
It is therefore against these backgrounds that this study sought to determine influence of home variable on pupils academic performance in English Language in Onna Local Government Area. Furthermore, in pupils’ homes variables have some factors that influence their academic performance, these include: parental educational background, occupation, economic status, marital status, home location and family size.
The home variable means the family background of the pupils, this includes all the human and materials resources present at the home that affect pupils education and living, such as the parent’s level of education, their occupation, socio-economic status and socializing facilities available in the house. Thus, the foundation education of the child depends upon these variables on which the other agents of socialization are built. The education received by a child from the parents and significant others at home is most likely the significant and dominant effect on the behaviour of the child later in life.
What the child learns at home and how his/her family motivates him/her towards education contributes to the child’s success or failure at school. As a result of the need to train the young people, the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1976 produced a document, National Policy in Education (NPE), to guide and help the home and schools in bid to achieve this great task. The NPE contains the national objectives for education, Secondary School Education in particular.
The English Language performs many significant functions in Nigeria. These functions are diverse in nature and vary very widely from group to groups, individual to individual and social content to social content, with the above submissions, we can therefore conclude that English Language in Nigeria performs some significant functions. For instance, in the field of education, Treen (2004) also says that, the introduction of English as a subject in the last three years of the primary through higher education as a medium of instruction means that the Nigerian child’s access to the culture and scientific knowledge of the world is largely through English. It is based on this fact, that aroused the researcher’s interest to examine home variables and pupils academic performance in English Language in primary schools in Onna Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The actual problem emerges for parents, teachers and their education stakeholders, once the academic performance of the pupils is not satisfactory, that the pupils’ thought, feelings and attitudes are not well expressed in English Language which is the official medium of communication with which all academic activities are transacted. The researcher was concerned with the socio-metric factors such as the kinds of social activities around the home environment of the pupils, for instance, a pupil that lives near the market square will adopt the language of the people around the market. This could affect the child in learning good English at school.
Those who have different language backgrounds have problem in pronouncing words in English like native, English speakers. Also English language learners have different levels of cognitive ability when English Language is combined with school work, teachers and parents should be aware that the problem may be related to the background knowledge rather than intellectual ability.
All these factors affect academic performance of pupils in English Language in primary schools. It is against this background that the researcher sought to examine home variable and pupils’ academic performance in English Language in primary school in Onna Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to examine home variable and pupils’ academic performance in English Language in Onna Local Government Area; specifically this study intended to:
- examine whether parental level of education influence pupils academic performance in English Language in primary schools.
- access whether the occupation of the influences pupils academic performance in English language in primary schools.
- find out whether family income influence pupil academic performance in English Language in primary schools.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will be significant to the following areas:
- it is believed that this research work will contribute to the upliftment of knowledge and skills of learning English language in primary schools.
- through this study, government should train qualified teachers who will be able to teach pupils and improve their academic performance in English Language.
- to pupils, this study will lay good work for exploring the essential question, what-factors influence pupil’s performance in English Language in primary schools.
- to parents, this study will encourage them to improve phonology ability.
- finally, this study will serve as an index for future researcher and add value to related literature.
Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools
1.5 Research Questions
To guide this study, the following research questions were formulated.
- To what extent does parental level of education influence pupils academic performance in English Language in primary schools?
- How does occupation of parents influence pupils academic performance in English Language?
- Does family income influence pupils academic performance in English Language in primary school?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
- There is no significant difference between parental level of education and pupils’ academic performance in English Language in primary schools.
- There is no significant difference between parental occupation and pupils’ academic performance in English Language in primary schools.
- There is no significant difference between family income and pupils’ academic performance in English Language in primary school.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
In writing a research study like this, the researcher faced many problems in the course of works. One of these problems is the refusal of come pupils to respond positively to questions on personal interview and on questionnaire. There were also financial constraints on the part of the researcher, insufficient information on the subject matter as well as insufficient time. However, the researcher was able to cope with the above stated problems in carrying out her study.
Home Variables and Pupils Academic Performance in English Language in Primary Schools
1.8 Definition of Terms
For the sake of clarity, the following terms have been define.
- English language: is an international language in the world phenomena which has claimed 80% of the total world population having its origin in southern English.
- Mother Tongue: This refers to the traditional language used by the parents at home or in their own community.
- Learning: This is relatively permanent change in behaviour as a result of experience or practice.
- Technique: This is the important skill that must be applied during teaching and learning process for the purpose of teaching.