EXAMINATION OF RECENT TRENDS IN STUDENTS ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education plays a great role in developing a person, by extension group of persons and adversely a nation. An educated country is sure of acquiring all-round development of a country. Education has the tenacity of molding a person with great skills which will equip such person for work on graduating from school. Thus, for a country to achieve sustainable development, the input of their workforce plays a very vital role, and that is why it is pertinent for them to be educated. Education brings about new ideas, innovations, and skills needed to place a country on the right pedestal of life. However, the acceptance and utilization of the aforementioned are based on certain factors like: the content of education, mode of teaching, availability of learning materials, and learner’s attitude towards learning. It is very obvious that these factors have a part to play in either the success or failure of the education system of Nigeria and the economy as a whole.

The Nigerian society is clouded with good and bad characters which are found in all sectors of the economy, but the big question remains, which of them is more prevalent in our society? The negative character seems to have an upper hand to the good character as it has crawled into Nigeria’s education system. The education system is characterized by bad character starting with the top members of different institutions; teaching and non-teaching and this has indirectly affected the students as they have opted for the wrong means to satisfy their quest for knowledge (Ademijimi 2014). Sound education has always been a thing of much concern to all Nigerians in the last decades. Behavior is termed anti-social or wrong when it goes against the standards of the laid down rules and principles of the society. Behavior is also referred to as anti-social when it affects the mental, economic and social progress of a person, when it badly affects his relationship with people around him/her and when he negatively affects the lives of other people (Roberts, 1981). The period of adolescence is a very critical stage in a person’s life, and that is why anyone at that stage of life needs to apply extreme care on whatever he/she does to avoid mistakes (Nwankwo, 2001). It is a phase in life where an adolescent wants to try new things, have a different experience from what he knows and the likes. However, anti-social life is the type of life that adds no value to a person but rather subtracts, as it has the tendency of scaring people away from the victim thereby leaving the person in isolation (Nwankwo et al. 2010).   Moreover, considering the too many damages caused by anti-social behavior, the Federal government is fighting tooth and nail to curb this menace and this is why it came up with anti-social behavior unit (ASBU) and anti-social behavior act in 2003. A report by anti-social behavior unit in England and Wales reported about 66,000 victims of anti-social just in a day.

Anti-social behavior is a topical issue that is of great concern to government and parents as it tends to have ample effects on the victims’ involved people around them and the country as well. Angement (1997), in his work, reported that some of the reasons why some students are anti-social is because they lack support from friends/family members, little success story attached to their environment and also because the learning environment is not conducive. Most students in the secondary school tend to adapt this anti-social behavior a lot and this is a threat to the success of our future generation. Durojaiye (2003), contributed that anti- social behavior culminates due to the poor level of socialization and poor trainings from parents which they now use as an excuse for being anti-social.

Nwankwo (1994) made mention of some anti-social behavior exhibited  by both secondary and tertiary institutions students to include cultism, drug abuse, anxiety, aggressiveness, examination malpractice, etc which can put their future at great risk. In addition, Unachukwu (1995), pointed that anti-social behavior could be caused by even the teachers. When a teacher lacks good humor, planning and the right sense of passing knowledge, it has the tendency of discouraging the students and makes such students treat his studies with levity. Conclusively, due to how pertinent it is to look into the problems caused by anti-social behavior, this study is meant to shade more light on it and proffer solutions in other to avoid the many damages caused by it. 

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The high level of failure recorded by the examination boards in Nigeria is attributed to anti-social behavior practiced by students. Students who engage in anti-social behaviors are being distracted from their academic work, as their attentions are divided. By extension, half-baked graduate are being produced into the labor markets in Nigeria thereby producing unemployable graduate (Ngozi O.I. 2012). In addition, the level of insecurity in the country poses a threat to harmonious living among the citizenry, as different cult groups keep having clashes on almost a daily basis. Their activities go as far as disrupting economic activities those in some parts of the country. Another problem associated with anti-social behavior by students is that it dirt the reputation of the education system of Nigeria. This kills the confidence of Nigerian students from competing with students from other countries. Therefore is upon this premise that this study seeks to

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objective of this study is to examine the recent trends in students’ anti-social behavior: Implications for the future of education in Nigeria. Other specific objectives include:

i.          To identify why some students exhibit anti-social behavior.

ii.        To examine the consequences of anti-social behavior on the educational performance of students.

iii.      To examine whether student anti-social behavior endangers the future of education in Nigeria.

iv.      To examine the possible means of curbing anti-social behavior among students in schools.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions are generated to guide this study:

i.          Why do some students exhibit anti-social behavior?

ii.        What  consequences do anti-social behavior exerts on  academic performance of students?

iii.      Does student anti-social behavior endangers the future of education system in Nigeria?

iv.      What are the possible means of curbing anti-social behavior among students in schools?

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims at educating, informing and enlightening the public (parents/students), school administrators and the government on the dangers of anti-social behavior among Nigerian students. It is meant to shade more light on anti-social behavior practiced by some students and the necessary measures parents, teachers and the government need to put in place to curb anti-social behavior among students. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study borders on examine recent trends in students anti-social behaviour and its implications for the future of education in Nigeria. The study will further discuss causes of student engagement in anti-social behavior and as well proffer solution through which anti-social behavior can be curbed. The study is however delimited to selected secondary schools in Uyo local government, Akwaibom State.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only secondary schools in Uyo local government, Akwaibom State. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other secondary schools in other  States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

RECENT: This means having happened, begun, or been done not long ago; belonging to a past period comparatively close to the present

TRENDS: Is a general direction in which something is developing or changing.

ANTI-SOCIAL: This means contrary to the laws and customs of society, in a way that causes annoyance and disapproval in others or not sociable or wanting the company of others.

IMPLICATION: This is the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.

References

Ademijimi A. Education Without Character. Punch Online. 2014. Accessed on October 29, 2013. Available:

Nwankwo, B.O., Nwoke, E.U., Chukwuocha, U.M., Obanny, A.O., Nwoga, K.S., NIwuagwu, U.O., & Okereke, C. (2010). Prevalence and predictors of anti social behavior: a cross sectional survey of adolescents in secondary schools in owerri municipal, south east Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 7(2), 129-139. [16]

Nwankwo, C.A. (1991). The behavioural patterns of the third year undergraeduate. Unpublished M.Ed thesis Unizik. Awka.

Angenent, H. (1997). Criminaliteit Van allochtone jongeren (Criminal behaviour of immigrant youngsters). Barn. Intro.

Durojaiye, M.O. (2003). Psychological Guidance of the school child.1stedition. Ibadani: Evans Brothers.

Unachukwu, G.C. (1995). Abnormal psychology. An unpublished lecture notes, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

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