AN EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background Of The Study       

The management committee enables the process of collaborating with and through others to accomplish corporate goals in a changing environment. According to Adeolo (2013), school-based management is the process of devolving power and authority to significant stakeholders for the administration, monitoring, evaluation, and review of education policy issues in order to ensure sustainable goal-oriented governance and effective teaching and learning activities in order to achieve set standards and quality learning outcomes in schools. Thus, in a secondary school context, the management committee collaborates with and via head teachers, teachers, parents, and other educational stakeholders to help students achieve academic achievement (Franklin, 2016).

Kaggwa (2003) defines academic achievement as the quality and quantity of information, skills, methods, good attitudes, behaviors, and philosophy attained by students. According to Kalule (2006), the scores and grades earned by each student indicate their level of academic achievement. This implies that the output of the learner in terms of grades, test scores, and performance on internal and national exams represents his or her academic achievement. Numerous factors must be in place to ensure pupils' best performance. These include, but are not limited to, the recruitment of competent teachers, the creation of a conducive learning environment, the supply of classroom infrastructure, and the provision of instructional and learning materials (Kisosy, 2010). However, the aforementioned is possible via the organization of school management committees. Management committees are a vital element of any school since they not only maintain the smooth administration of school operations, but also ensure that academic achievement is promoted in all facets (Agyeman, 2008). Therefore, school management committees are critical in establishing the school's objectives and strategic plans that result in strong academic performance. Additionally, school management committees acquire both people and material resources, which are critical activities of teaching and learning. Additionally, they foster relationships between local communities and schools, therefore fostering a more conducive learning environment (Dean, 1995). Additionally, School Management Committees assist in enforcing discipline among students and teachers, which is critical for improved school performance. In light of the above, this research focuses on the function of school committees in enhancing the academic performance of primary school students.

1.2     Statement Of The Problem

In Nigeria, the quality of basic education has deteriorated. Education's diminishing quality is seen in a variety of ways, including students' failures on elementary school leaving exams (Farlie, 2015). The premise is that the widespread failures of primary schools are attributable to teachers' insufficient application of the school curriculum, which is supported by inadequate academic oversight by head teachers (Mosha, 2000). While much has been written in the literature, little has been done to uncover the variables that contribute to low academic performance in Nigerian elementary schools.

As a result, the responsibility of delivering a high-quality education to the citizenry is very demanding and requires a strong ability on the part of the school management to arrange material resources in order to accomplish educational goals and objectives in terms of learning outcomes (Adeolu 2013). The Education Act (1968) gives school committees with the task of managing primary schools and acknowledges the SMC's role in mobilizing management support for school buildings, furnishings, land, and teacher housing. However, SMCs have fallen short of fulfilling their mandates to improve school performance (Lockeheed, 1994). Evidently, even after completing elementary school, children lack the fundamental abilities essential for career and life (World Bank, 2015). This hints to a deeper management issue, since it seems that SMCs charged with ensuring that learning occurs are failing to do so, as indicated by the low academic grades used to assess the learning result of any educational activity. This necessitates the need to conduct a study with a specific focus on examining the role of school committees in the improvement of primary school students’ academic performance.

1.3     Objectives Of The Study 

The generally aim of this study is to critically examine the role of school committees in the improvement of primary school students’ academic performance. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

1.        Ascertain whether there is an existing and effective school management committee in primary schools in Asaba, Delta State.

2.        Ascertain whether school management committee is responsible for the effective implementation of school curriculum by primary school teachers.

3.        Determine whether school management committee help to enforce discipline in pupils and teachers as a key factor to better school performance.

4.        Determine whether school management committee helps to improve pupils performance through strong school academic supervision.

1.4 Research Question

This study will be guided by the following questions;

1)        Are there existing and effective school management committee in primary schools in Asaba, Delta State?

2)        Are the school management committees responsible for the effective implementation of school curriculum by primary school teachers?

3)        Does school management committees help to enforce discipline in pupils and teachers as a key factor to better school performance?

4)        Does school management committees help to improve pupils performance through strong school academic supervision?

1.5 Significance Of The Study

There have been little or no evidence of the effectiveness of school committee in most primary schools in Asaba and Delta State as a whole, there this study will help to outline the factors hindering the effective operation of school committees in the state, the implication of their ineffectiveness, and there role in ensuring the improvement of students academic performance.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the role of school committees in the improvement of primary school students’ academic performance.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This study is structured to generally examine the role of school committees in the improvement of primary school students’ academic performance. However, the study will further ascertain whether there is an existing and effective school management committee in primary schools in Asaba, Delta State, ascertain whether school management committee is responsible for the effective implementation of school curriculum by primary school teachers, determine whether school management committee help to enforce discipline in pupils and teachers as a key factor to better school performance, and determine whether school management committee helps to improve pupils performance through strong school academic supervision.

The respondents for this study will comprise school administrators in selected primary schools in Delta State.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Primary school: This is a school usually covering the first three or four years of elementary school and sometimes kindergarten.

School Management Committee: This means a committee in each school for purposes of implementing school level Project activities.

Academic performance: This is the extent to which a student attains a short or long-term educational goals.

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