COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIOLOGY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SOME SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The complete process of human learning in which knowledge is transmitted, faculties are exercised, and skills are developed is known as education (Lee, 2011). Secondary schools are not only important in Nigeria's educational system, but they also serve as a link between University level and  and primary education. Secondary school education, according to Asikhai (2010), is expected to be the backbone and foundation for further education at higher education institutions. It is both an investment and a tool that may be utilized to help a country achieve faster economic, social, political, technical, scientific, and cultural growth. It is sad that today's secondary schools do not meet the expectations that are placed on them. The continually low performance of secondary school students in public examinations has sparked widespread outrage (Femi, 2012). Biology is a difficult topic to teach in secondary schools for a variety of reasons. The poor academic success of biology students, as shown by the WAEC and National Teachers Institute (NTI) reports, as well as the results of state common entry examinations, has sparked a public uproar about the declining caliber of biology instruction. Science disciplines are already experiencing difficulties. This is mostly in the area of laboratory and other teaching facilities being available in sufficient numbers for the amount of students studying science. Biology is a crucial topic that requires greater attention (Manalanga, 2011). It permits one to comprehend oneself as well as his intermediate surroundings. Nonetheless, biological knowledge is employed in a variety of sectors such as medicine, biochemistry, pharmacy, microbiology, and agriculture, to name a few. Over the years, students' performance in Biology in the Senior Secondary Certificates Examination (SSCE) has been disappointing. Scholars have attributed many causes to this issue. According to Dinah (2013), the availability of text books, laboratory gear, and other learning materials has a considerable impact on students' success in Biology exams. He went on to say that students who have a good attitude toward the topic do better than those who have a negative attitude. Those that have a positive mindset are more motivated to work hard, which is evident in their test results (Luper, 2010). Suman B. (2011) performed study on the impact of parents' education and employment on kids' academic progress. He came to the conclusion that parents' education and employment had a beneficial impact on their children's academic progress. According to Femi (2012), parents' educational qualifications and students' health state are important factors that influence students' academic achievement. According to Akinsanya et al. (2014), parents' education has the greatest impact on their children's academic attainment. Because of his or her access to the internet, newspapers, and television, a youngster from an educated home has a lot of opportunity to study hard. They can also provide supplementary instruction at home. Students who were reared in an illiterate household have limited access to this. The deteriorating academic level has been documented, and affecting variables include the parents' economic condition (Wabuke, 2013). Taking a look at the country's current economic position, many impoverished parents send their children to do menial housework before going to school (Memon, 2010). These children were perplexed as to how they might assist their family. Parents' poverty, on the other hand, has a variable impact on their children's academic performance because they lack the means and cash to support their children's education, decent schooling, adequate housing, medical care, and social welfare services. According to Femi (2012), parents' socioeconomic and educational backgrounds are not important influences in their children's achievement. In their study on the impact of family background on secondary school academic success, Osuafor (2013) found that Biology students discovered that family structure, parents' employment, and parents' educational level had no significant impact on students' biology achievement. Memon (2010) found that kids with well-educated parents do better in matriculation exams than students with less educated or illiterate parents. According to Awelani (2014), financial support, a lack of equipped libraries, a shortage of laboratories and Biology textbooks, as well as the way of teaching and accessing Biology 5090, are all plausible reasons for low performance in Biology 5090. Furthermore, a high result on a practical Biology exam boosts the Biology grade. Teachers should encourage students to assess their practical skills on a regular basis. Perhaps more practical lessons should be available and documented so that teachers can prepare ahead and ensure that the true schedule is followed (Wabuke, 2013).

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Poor scientific performance has been linked to a lack of qualified science teachers, overcrowding in classrooms, and a lack of appropriate science equipment, among other factors ( (Wabuke, 2013). Biology courses are typically overly big and varied in terms of skill level, resulting in poor student achievement. According to Snezana  (2011), academic achievement was greater in classes that started with an experiment or a slide display than in lessons that started with a lecture. Furthermore, the laboratories are under-equipped, and the Biology curriculum is overloaded (Ajayi, 1988).

Many researchers have studied academic achievement in Biology, but few have compared academic achievement in two schools. The major goal of this study is to analyze the academic achievement in biology of two secondary schools in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government of Imo State.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary goal of this study is to compare the academic performance of two secondary schools in Biology. More specifically, the study aims to:

i. Identify the characteristics that impact students' academic achievement in Biology.

ii. Compare the academic results of two secondary schools in biology.

iii.Determine ways to enhance students' biology learning issues in order to make the topic more fascinating.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i. What are  the characteristics that impact students' academic achievement in Biology?

ii. What are  the academic results of two secondary schools in biology?

iii.How can ways to enhance students' biology learning issues in order to make the topic more fascinating be determined?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this study will be used to explain some basic truths to the State government and Ministry of Education officials, assisting them in making the best decision possible regarding the provision of infrastructural facilities to aid teaching and learning, thereby improving the academic performance of Senior Secondary School students. It will encourage administrators to look into and develop positive solutions for lowering or eliminating poor performance among students through student welfare support programs. It will assist the relevant government/policymakers in taking corrective steps within their authority by properly arranging resources to meet demand and guiding their activities on future projects on staff and student education for a successful teaching and learning process in schools. This study will also assist parents in paying close attention to and supervising their children's work, resulting in improved student achievement. It would also be beneficial for curriculum planners to understand some of the elements that lead to students' low or bad performance in Biology. This will allow them to implement the most relevant materials into their curriculum preparation.

1.6    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study's goal is to compare students' Biology achievement in Imo  State. It will not be able to cover all of the schools in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government due to time and funding restrictions. There will be some typical samples taken, including two secondary schools.

1.7    DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Obtaining funding for general research activity will be difficult over the course of studies. Correspondents may also be unable or unwilling to complete or submit the questionnaires that have been sent to them. However, it is expected that these limits will be resolved by making the greatest use of existing resources and devoting more time to research than is required. As a result, it is firmly considered that, despite these constraints, their impact on this research report will be small, allowing the study's purpose and importance to be met.

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