Home Variable and Students’ Academic Performance In Agricultural Science
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The training and development of a child is naturally place in the hands of the parents. This is congruent with the common assertion of sociologist that education can be an instrument of cultural change whose foundation being from home.
Education is the best legacy a nation can give to her citizens especially the youths. This is because education B very important in the development of any nation or community.
Education embraces all those experiences of the individual through which knowledge is acquired and intellect enlightened. Every nation hoping to have bright future needs to emphasize education because it is the only way to much development. Yusuf and Al-Banawi (2013) noted that education must be considered as a key investment in modern economic because, as previously seen within the frame work of knowledge based economy, there is a strong and positive correction between economic activity and education in explaining economic growth. Asin (2014) stated that education is a catalyst to the development of individuals, society and the nation as a whole. Dagbo (2014) also opined that education is an important tool for social growth, development and interaction of all elements in the society for its economic, social and political well-being. Olayanju (2014) posited that education plays a critical role in human capacity, building and skills acquisition. In this context, education is the process of socializing the child to grow up as a fulfilled member of the society through informal, formal and non formal processes.
Home Variable and Students’ Academic Performance In Agricultural Science
The home is the first social environment the Child finds itself. According to Tileston (2005), the home remains the primary environment of the child the author emphasized that home variables have more chances of increasing the intellectual achievement of the child. Akubue and Okolo (2008), defined home as a small kinship structural group with the key function of natural socialization of the new born. Home variables therefore refer to all the conditions and circumstances in the family which influence the child physically, intellectually and emotionally (Moula 2014). Children coming from different home are affected differently by such home variables.
It is generally believed that the basis for any true development must commence with the development of human resources. Much then is said that formal education remains the vehicle for human development which must start from the home (Shittu 2004). It is not out of place to imagine that home variables can have effect on students academic performance because anything that affect the development environment of children will possibly affect their education or dis position to education. The home plays a very important role in the academic performance of students as supports from members of the families and communities help determine the quality of academic performance. Also, this social assistance has a crucial role for the accomplishment of performance goals of students at school. Beside the social structure, parent’s involvement in their children’s education increases the rate of academic performance of their children in Agricultural Science subject.
Agriculture is seen as the only way out of our present economic recession as it involves the arts and science of cultivation of crops rearing of animals, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce for man’s use and export purposes. Despite fact that agriculture is seen as the only way out of our recessive economy, the academic performance of students in agricultural science most especially in Itu Local Government Area is declining. This becomes a major concern of education stakeholds and researchers as poor performance in examinations are being recorded yearly. This failure in examinations is attributed to various home variables which among others include parental level of education, parental income and family structure.
It is against this background that the researcher is interested in assessing home variables and students academic performance in agricultural science in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The researcher intends to assess the variable at home with the view of ascertaining relative influence on academic performance of students in agricultural science in Itu Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Most students in Itu Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State are in risk of poor academic performance in agricultural Science. It has been observed that many students do not pass well in external examinations such as West African School Certificate (WASC), National Examination Council (NECO) and Junior Secondary School Certificate (JSSC). Jaiyeoba (2011) noted that some of the factors responsible for the poor performance of students in schools are low socio- economic status of parent and lack of seriousness of students. Government, parents and students blame one another for student’s poor performance in Agricultural Science. Parents blame teachers for lack of dedication to work. Government blame parents for not doing good home work and the students are blamed for lack of discipline and dedication to their studies. This study therefore attempts to assess home variable as contributory factors to student poor performance in agricultural science in Itu Local Government Area.
Home Variable and Students’ Academic Performance In Agricultural Science
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to ascertain how various home variable influence students’ academic performance in Agricultural Science in Itu Local Government Area.
The specific objectives of the study include:
- To ascertain the influence of parental level of education on students academic performance in Agricultural Science in Itu Local Government Area.
- To assess the influence of parental income level on students academic performance in Agricultural Science in Itu Local Government Area.
- To assess the influence of family structure on students academic performance in Agricultural Science in Itu Local Government Area.
