CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Educationally it is generally agreed that private schools have contributed positively to the academic performance of students in secondary schools. Presently, some elites seem not to agree that private schools are doing anything to encourage or enhance student’s performance. Some based their arguments on the falling standards of education in Nigeria. They claim that with the involvement of private individuals in running of schools, the standard of education has declined rapidly stressing that the most of affected segments of our education.

In attempt to support this view, some writer’s educationist, researchers, curriculum planners and administrators often make reference to Adenna (2008) who asserted that; the federal government should not handover their educational institution to regions and voluntary agencies that such step would implies a surrender of the nation education system to a system characterized by fanaticism and religious participation and that t he end result cannot be predicted.  Despite the above view expressed by Adenna, and his suggestion other school of thought (scholars) who holds contrary view rejected this assertion. Their point of argument was that Adenna view could not be subjected to empirical test because the statement reveals “that end results cannot be predicted” in which case, the end result may be good or bad. Tuoyo (2000) in writing to support the latter view maintained that most teachers in private schools are not readily qualified and others not been able to impact the desirable knowledge to their students.

Lakoja (2006) who also was of the opinion that private schools have not in any way contributed to the academic performance of secondary school students lamented that private schools in  attempt to remain competitive and in business sometimes invest resources (money) in buying question papers by buying examination and invigilators during external examination. The point Lakoju was trying to establish was that most private schools encourage examination malpractice. Surprisingly, others seems to have claim that this view was utterly too parching and myopic in nature. They advocated that private schools is only pivot by which qualitative education revolves round in Nigeria stating that the government has for long loss focus on qualitative education in Nigeria. They however maintained that the non-regular payment of teacher salary absence of in-service training for the teachers and the non-available of materials that can facilitates effective teaching/learning process and all the eloquent testimonies of government non-challant attitude towards qualitative education in Nigeria.

Akwue (2005) in attempt to confirm this fact stated that the reason for returning schools to justify what the national policy on education advocates, “No educational system can rise above the level of the teachers”. As the argument still hold, Nomell (2003) maintained that private or public schools does not pronounce or inculcate low or high intelligent quotient (IQ) in whatever attends and that the high or low performance of students at school  largely depends on the child’s  enthusiasm type of pair groups he has teaching/learning instructional materials. The school location and the financial situation of the parents of the child. The assumption and opinion put forward by the three classes at scholars gave rise to the researcher to undermined the pains or strain he would in an for carrying out an objective investigation on the influence of private schools students using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study.

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

        The argument put forward by the different classes of people about the influence of private schools on the academic performance of private secondary school students term to have generated controversy among many writers. Curriculum planners and administrators, to this end, do not have solid background upon which their claims could stand. The result of this trend is that, they cannot give a desirable recommendation educationally. Although parents and teachers have come to realize their contribution to private schools and the academic performance of the children and that only private schools are presently in the business of giving qualitative education to students.

However, private schools should have not be given due recognition by the government, let alone given them the necessary support. Consequently private schools in Oredo Local Government Area have been bedeviled by this same problem. Inspite of resolute determination to better the standards of education in the local government since there are no revenue in the local government since there are no industries where revenue could be derived. Moreover, the syndrome of private school profit motive consciousness has also contributed to the problem. Most people or rather parents have been discouraged from sending their children to private schools where they can get qualitative educational opportunities.

1.3    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

        The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of private schools on the academic perform of secondary school students in Oredo Local Government  Area of Edo State.

1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The study is so indispensable because at the finish of the study to the carried out, it will be measured to assist administrators, policy makers, curriculum planners, government and educational planners and schools to formulate policy measures that will guide and improve on the present performance of private and suitable personals and instructional materials at both the state and local government levels.

1.5    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

        In this study, some research questions have been formulated in order to investigate the influence of private schools on the academic performance of students I secondary school in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

1. Do private schools have adequate and human resources that can contribute positively to the academic performance of students?
2. Do students go to private schools because they want qualitative education?
3. Do private schools have average number of students?
4. Does the rate of teacher s dedication in private schools have positive influence on student’s academic performance?
5. Does the rate of discipline in private schools have positive influence on the academic performance of students?

1.6    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

        This study is carried out in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.  The scope of the study includes the following;

1. Franet group of School
2. Inowan Group of School
3. Uncle Pius Educational Center
4. Divine Wisdom Educational Institute

The research is limited by finance, time, lack of materials, attitude of respondents within which the study must be done repeated visits were made to some places in order to get more information.

1.7    DEFINITION OF TERMS

        In the course of the study a number of unfamiliar words were used and their implied meaning are given below;

Academic Performance:  It is an achievement which can be measured in terms of education. 

Contribution: It is a serious argument or disagreement about an issue.

Decline: It is a decrease or fall in standard

Empirical: Something that is based on scientific test in order to get result

Qualitative: Is a statement that reveals a perfect condition on something

Parochial: Only interested in things that affect oneself and his local area.

Myopic: Not thinking about the future result to are action

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