THE EFFECT OF TRUANCY ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In Nigeria, truancy is one of the most serious antisocial discipline issues among secondary school students. Researchers have paid a lot of attention to the notion and acts of indiscipline. Various behavioral disorders such as stealing, violence, drug abuse, examination malpractice, sexual abuse, and truancy, according to Adeloye, (2008), have harmed effective teaching-learning processes to the point where some teachers have become helpless and disorganized in their task of imparting knowledge to students.

Education can be defined as the transfer of a culture's value and accumulation of information, as well as the shaping of adult behavior and guiding them toward a future role in society. Education is not only intended to assist people in becoming valuable members of society, but it should also assist them in developing an appreciation for their cultural heritage and leading more fulfilling lives (Ma’aruf, 2005).

Staying in school, on the other hand, is the first step toward a solid education. Students are expected by school law to attend lessons every day in order to attain academic achievement, however various causes have prompted the majority of students to miss school events, resulting in "truancy." It is common knowledge that Nigerian educational standards are deteriorating due to absenteeism and other anti-social issues like as cultism, indiscipline, and so on. Individual willingness to study is partly responsible for the formation of individuals who will aid Nigeria's growth. This means that it is critical to attend school and, more crucially, lessons if educational goals are to be met.

Ma'aruf (2005) identified four primary home characteristics that contribute to truancy, including:

Poor child-parent relationships; poor physical conditions at home; use of corporal punishment in the home and lack of parental concern in the child's development. Ubogu (2004) highlighted illness, financial difficulties, age, social status, geographic area, and institutional problems such as teacher attitude, bad management, and high educational costs as causes of absenteeism. Among the causes of truancy among school pupils in 2005 were distance to school, school discipline, family history, and school location. In their study, Siziya, Muula, & Rudatsikira (2017) discovered that truancy teenagers were more likely to participate in risky sexual behavior, illicit drug usage, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Carrol (1996) discovered that absenteeism and poor school attendance are more common in large households where the father is a manual worker. Similarly, Brillingston (1998) & Ma'aruf (2005) found a strong link between household circumstances and persistent absenteeism without parental knowledge in their investigations. Truancy can lead to poor academic performance, the loss of friends and partners, and disturbance in the classroom. Returning absentees have an impact on other students' behavior, the difficulty of keeping correct records, the capacity to meet instructional targets, and the school's reputation (Oghuvu, 2006).

According to studies, students' attendance has a good association with their academic success. Lateness was more common among female students than male pupils, according to (Emore, 2005). This happened as a result of their parents' involvement in household chores.

According to Obemeata, Adeboyeje, & Obayan's (1995) research, the physical environment of a school has a significant impact on students' academic achievement. However, Akinwumi and Ayeni, Fareo & Okotoni, (2003) and others argued that there was no substantial association between pupils' academic achievement and their physical environment. Truancy, crime, and violent behavior may be viewed as educational, social, and law enforcement issues. Student truancy jeopardizes their prospects of achieving any educational aspirations (Siziya, Tuula & Rudatsikira, 2007). The school has been developed as a social agent to shape children's habits, interests, attitudes, and sentiments, as well as to transfer societal norms, culture, values, and traditions from one generation to the next. Despite this, some students continue to miss school. Fear of adolescent aberrant and unhealthy conduct is a persistent source of concern for millions of individuals throughout the world. Youth violence/crime is a global problem, and the rise in deviant conduct among young people has been a major source of concern over the last two decades (Wiarimu, 2013). Many of our pupils are now involved in a variety of activities that may jeopardize their academic achievement. The problem of crime, unhealthy behavior, and truancy in our schools must not be ignored; otherwise, it will become even more concerning than it has been in the past. Secondary school students' behavior is clearly influenced by a variety of circumstances. An inquiry is required to gather additional information and clarity on the effects of truancy on academic performance in secondary schools.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to examine the effect of truancy on academic performance in secondary schools. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          To examine the relationship between truancy and academic performance of students in secondary schools.

ii.        To determine the different truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools

iii.      To determine the causes of truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools

iv.      To determine the different ways by which the truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools can be curbed.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          Is there any relationship between truancy and academic performance of students in secondary schools?

ii.        What are the different truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools?

iii.      What are the causes of truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools?

iv.      What are the different ways by which the truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools can be curbed?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The outcomes of this study will aid in understanding the behavioral patterns of secondary school pupils who engage in truancy. It is believed that teachers will be able to identify these children and know how to place them in the classroom, as well as where to place these pupils in the classroom setting.

The study will be beneficial to teachers who are directly associated with kids and are aware of the impact of truancy on students' social conduct and academic progress in school and can thus assist them.

School administrators and policymakers who are directly involved in policy formulation will establish a favorable learning environment for students, as well as assist educational psychologists in researching and developing theories and ways for dealing with maladjusted behaviors'. Parents will benefit greatly because it will allow them to spot such delinquent activities and immediately request help from the proper authority.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focused on examining the effect of truancy on academic performance in secondary schools. Specifically, it will focus on examining the relationship between truancy and academic performance of students in secondary schools, determining the different truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools, determining the causes of truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools and determining the different ways by which the truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools can be curbed.

Students of selected secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State will serve as enrolled participants for the survey of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to examining the effect of truancy on academic performance in secondary schools. Specifically, it will be limited to examining the relationship between truancy and academic performance of students in secondary schools, determining the different truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools, determining the causes of truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools and determining the different ways by which the truant behaviour displayed by students in secondary schools can be curbed.

Students of selected secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State will serve as enrolled participants for the survey of this study.  Thus the sample size was limited because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, therefore the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the state.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Effect: a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Truancy: Truancy is any intentional, unjustified, unauthorised, or illegal absence from compulsory education. It is a deliberate absence by a student's own free will and usually does not refer to legitimate excused absences, such as ones related to medical conditions.

Academic performance: Academic achievement or academic performance is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent academic achievement.

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