CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
The
government of Nigeria is much concerned with the global agenda of achieving
education for all. The academic performance of students has become a
great concern to stakeholders of education. This has led the government
to formulate and implement policies to improve academic performance. In Nigeria,
the abolition of tuition fees and the introduction of the Capitation
Grant Initiative in 2005 resulted in a massive increase in enrolment
(18%) in public basic schools (MOESS, 2006). Many factors including persistent
reforms of education, socio-economic status, poor infrastructure,
inadequate teachers among others have been attributed to the low level
of academic achievement in Nigeria. The Ministry of Education reports showed
that over 20% of children leave school before the completion of the
basic cycle, due to factors including the low quality public education
(MOESS, 2006). A lecturer who does not have both the academic and the professional
lecturer qualification would undoubtedly have a negative influence on the
teaching, and learning of his/her subject. Great strides have been taken
by successive governments towards the improvement of the school system
yet it continues to experience poor performance. Covid19 Pandemic has
also been found to be a major contributing factor to academic performance.
Kaplan & Sadock, (2000), stated that, although an optimal level of Covid19
Pandemic can enhance learning ability, Niemi & Vainiomaki, 1999;
argued that, too much Covid19 Pandemic can cause physical and mental health
problems and may affect the academic achievement of students. There have
been numerous studies on Covid19 Pandemic and its impact on psychological and
physical health for several decades by psychologists. Lazarus defined Covid19
Pandemic as a state of psychological arousal that results when external
demands tax or exceed a person’s adaptive abilities (Lazarus, 1966). This shows
that Covid19 Pandemic has discernable impact on students’ academic achievement.
The
educational system in Nigeria over the years has gone through several reforms.
The implementation of the reform programs introduced by the Government
in 1987 reduced the number of years spent at the basic level from ten
years to nine years. As part of the reforms, the Federal College of Education lasts
for a period of three years. The Government in 2007 extended the years
for Federal College of Education to four years and was again changed by
the Government in 2009 to three years. All these reforms were geared towards
higher academic achievement. The curriculum has been enriched and
expanded in order to ensure quality performance, yet the Nigeria in education
system is experiencing low academic performance. Considering these and other
factors, it is important to consider perceived Covid19 Pandemic and
academic performance of students in Senior High Schools.
1.2 Objectives
of the Study
Based
on the nature of the problem, the project seeks to find out:
1.
The profile of Federal College of Education Student’s Perceived Covid19
Pandemic on learning of Biology.
2. The
Academic Performance of Federal College of Education Students
3. The
Academic Performance of Senior High Schools
4. The
Relationship between Perceived Covid19 Pandemic and Academic Performance
1.3 Research
Hypothesis
The following
hypothesis was tested in the study below:
H0:
There
is no significant relationship between Federal College of Education Students’ Perceived
Covid19 Pandemic, and Academic Performance.
H1:
There is significant relationship between Federal College of Education Students’
Perceived Covid19 Pandemic and Academic Performance
1.4 Research
Questions
The
research seeks to answer the following questions:
1.
What is the Profile of Federal College of Education Students’ Perceived Covid19 Pandemic?
2. What
is the effect of Covid19 Pandemic on Academic Performance of Biology study in Federal
College of Education Students’?
3. What
is the Academic Performance of Federal Colleges of Education?
The
findings of the study would provide essential information for students,
parents, tutors, and other researchers on Covid19 Pandemic, and academic
performance and will help students to cope effectively with Covid19 Pandemic,
identify their strength and weakness in order to achieve academic excellence.
The study will further help curriculum developers to develop constructive
programs to improve academic performance. It will also help professionals like
school counselors to develop strategies to ameliorate Covid19 Pandemic and help
students to understand themselves. It will provide information to government to
develop the rural schools in order to do well in academics. Finally the study
will serve as a source of reference material to students and other researchers
who may undertake similar research work.
1.5
Significance
of the Study
The study will be immense
significance to a wide spectrum of the federal college of education, zaria in
kaduna state, local government area.
Again, this intent contributing to
the existing knowledge on effects of Covid19 Pandemic on academic performance
of students. It will enlighten schools lecturers and the entire parent on Covid19
Pandemic of the students, thereby helping them to guard against problem in colleges.
Moreover, this project will equally
enlighten parents on the problem of too much Covid19 Pandemic which their
children sometimes involves themselves.
The recommendation of the researchers
may also contributes to the efforts at solving the problems of Covid19 Pandemic
encountered by students in Federal Colleges of Education.
The work will also be of benefits to
FCE students and other users of the library. This is because, after completion
of this research, a copy will be taken to the library for public consumption.
Students will benefits from the findings of this research.
1.6 Scope
and Delimitation of the Study
The scope of the study specifically
focused or centered on the effects of Covid19 Pandemic on academic performance
of students at Federal College of Education, Zaria Area of Kaduna state.
The
delimitation of the study will only concern on Federal Colleges of Education shall
be covered by this study. It will only be delimited to Federal Colleges of
Education, Zaria. Conceptually the study will make use of concepts and terms
use in educational psychology, guidance and counseling, moral instruction
through curriculum