CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

        This project work is another contribution to the already existing and numerous done and those still under way into the study of the causes of low academic performance of secondary school students in this attempt of trying to discuss the relationship between teaching methods and the academic performance of secondary school students. The term “teaching methods” refers to the general pedagogy and management style used for classroom instruction. A teacher choice of teaching methods should not only be based on what fits/suits him or her but also putting into consideration the subject area, schools mission statement, class demography etc. academic performance on the other hand according to the Encyclopedia Britanica (2009) academic performance as an act or a process of display in the level of understanding a knowledge of what has been learnt as a student especially while studying in schools. Irrespective of the schools physical beauty or magnificence, it is of great benefit to know to know that the student’s academic performance depends also on the teaching methods adopted by the class teacher.

        The choice of teaching methods according to Wikipedia may also depend largely on the information that the teacher or instructor intends to pass across to the members/students in his/her class, the skill that is to be taught, and it may also be influenced by the attitude and level of enthusiasm of the class/students. In the last decade, scholars has attempted to see hour and why there has been a downward growth in the level of performance of secondary school age with the high rate of failure displayed by results of examinations conducted by external examinational bodies e.g Jamb, WAEC, NECO does it mean that the methods of instruction are obsolete and needs revisions, or is the assertion true that Nigerian students are drill? Or is it because these students have no passion for education/learning? Or is a likely, that the system of education in Nigeria generally does not favour this generation of scholars. In this study an indepth analysis will be done to analyze this menace that is eating up the educational system.      

1.2    STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

        Seeing the degree of poor performance put on in recent years by students of the secondary school age writing either the NECO, WAEC, NABTEB, GCE or JAMB, one is compelled to ask some series of questions. A number of studies have been done to check the students responsibility when they fail, revisions of the curriculum systems have also been done but the level of the menace seems to be on the rise as the years come and go and raising another generation of students but non or little have been done on whether to known how much the teachers mode, means and method of instruction can affect the students performance.

1.3    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

        The following questions were raised so as to enable the researcher do an in-depth study of the matter.

1. What is responsible for bringing such level of failure?
2. Does the students have a role to play in the outcome of their performance?
3. Does the teacher really have a role to play in the students performance outcomes?
4. Are the teaching methods effective or obsolete?
5. Could a change in teaching method imply a change in the students performance level?
6. What present improvement to teaching methods are there I Nigeria and how effective are they?

1.4    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

        This study seeks to find out the relationship between the teachers teaching methods and its effect on the students academic performance. The following objectives has been slated to aid the researcher gain focus and direction.

1. To know the place of a teacher method of instruction and its effect on the students performance.
2. To help understand the most effective teaching method.,
3. To understand the role of both the teacher and students on the academic performance of the students.

1.5    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The significance of the study is that when the relationship between the teaching method and the student’s academic performance is ascertained, adequate recommendations will be made aimed at assisting the immediate improvement on the methods of teaching the students and its resultant effect will be on upward growth in their performance level.

1.5    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

        Findings in this were arrived at after studying some selected schools in Edo State e.g. Edaiken Secondary School, Uniben Demonstration Secondary School, Adolor Secondary School all within the Benin Metropolis.  

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