STUDENTS’ CHARACTERISTICS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN GOVERNMENT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN UKANAFUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the Study

Researches in recent years have focused on identifying the key factors that promote academic success among students whose demographic characteristics and school circumstances place them at high risk of failure. In large part, these researches have addressed the characteristics of individual students that are optimal for success. Literature largely supports the positive role that students’ attitudes and behavior play in improving academic achievement. Several studies have consumed that engagement in school and perceived academic competence (that is, positive feelings about one’s ability to be successful academically), strongly predict improved reading and mathematics achievement (young, 2008). Similarly, literature supports the positive influence of factor in the school context- for example, the presence of high-quality, engaging instructional activities and supportive adult relationships – in improving students’ academic outcomes (class, 2004).

Characteristics or attitude means a person’s disposition to something, ideas, objects, activity or discipline. It is based on one’s feeling, mood, opinion and belief about something. These dispositions are dependent on other intervening variables. It has been observed that one’s attitude towards a thing can be favorable or neutral as a result of a number of factors such as previous knowledge and misinformation about the thing. Other factors include decent or indirect interactions with the elements of the thing under consideration (July, 2002).

Students’ characteristics, according to Meador (2009) mauled those behavioral patterns that either foster or inhibit the students’ performance at school. He lists some of the positive students’ characteristics to include asking questions, hard work, regulating at classes, class participation, seizing opportunities, trustworthiness and being a problem solver.

Young (2008) identifies the characteristics of good students to include being attentive in the class, consulting with instructors promptly turning in assignment and making good use of extra credit hour opportunities. This study sought to examine the influence of students’ characteristics on students’ academic performance in Government among secondary school students where.

1.2      Statement of the Problem

Students’ characteristics have been found to exert a considerable influence on students’ academic performance (Basil, 2004; Jude, 2007). Accordingly the school system has put in place several rule and regulations to guide students’ attitude. Umoren and Ogbodo (2001) note that for smooth academic progress in school, students are expected to be law abiding, respectful of school authority and school staff as well as being regular and punctual to classes. Other conforming behavior expected students of the include, respect for one another, honesty, hard work, commitment to class tasks and attentiveness in class.

However, a report by Nwafot (2007) who conducted a survey of 1,647 students drawn from both public and private schools in Ebonyi State reverted  that student performed poorly in their academic due to negative characteristics. He identified poor study habit, irregularity in class, truancy, fighting, disobedience, examination malpractices, lateness to school and general indiscipline as some of the characteristics common among the students who performed poorly in their text (Barney, 2006).

In most cases however poor academic performance among secondary school students is being blamed on the teacher’s non-commitment to duty and the government, poor funding of education sector. This study was carried out to answer the question: “To what extent do students’ characteristics influence their academic performance in Government among secondary school students”.

1.3      Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of students’ characteristics on students’ academic performance in Government among secondary school students. The specific objectives include.

(a)         To examine the influence of study habits on students’ academic performance in Government among secondary school students.

(b)        To assess the influence of students’ regularity in classes on their academic performance in Government among secondary school students.

(c)         To examine the influence of students’ use not opportunities on their academic performance in Government among secondary school students.

1.4      Research Question

(a)       Does students’ study habit influence their academic performance in Government among secondary school students?

(b)      Does students’ regulate in class influence their academic performance in Government among secondary school students?

(c)       To what extent students’ use of opportunities in learning influence their academic performance in Government among secondary school students?

1.5      Significance of the Study

This study will be useful in a number ways. The findings will provide an insight into students’ behavioral patterns as they affect the productivity of the school system. It will help the teachers in adopting classroom control measures that would minimize students’ disruptive behavior. The study will also benefit the Government and school administration in developing policies that would regulate students’ behavior.

1.6      Delimitation of the Study

This study was restricted to Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It focused on public secondary schools in the area. It was also confined to the analysis of three students’ characteristics, namely, study habits regularity at school and use of opportunities in learning.

1.7      Limitation of the Study

The study was hindered by inadequate time to carry out the survey. This was because the study was carried out side by side the other academic commitment in the second semester. There was why only some schools were selected for the study.

1.8      Definition of Terms

(a)         Study Habit: this is the peculiar through which the students approach learning.

(b)         Students’ characteristics: these refer to the attitudes of the students which could either promote or hinder learning.

(c)          Performance: - this can be defined as the outcome of education, the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals.

(d)         Government: Government as an institution of the state can be defined as the machinery that is setup by the state to administer its function and duties.

(e)         Student: A person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or college.

(f)           School: A school is an institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students.