Attitude Of Parents Towards Primary Education Of Their Children

 Attitude Of Parents Towards Primary Education Of Their Children In Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

Primary education is the foundation a child requires in his or her educational pursuit. The quality of primary education a child gets would determine his performance in a secondary school as well as tertiary level. It will equally affect his or her life after school. As such the importance of primary education cannot be overemphasis.

 

It is in this regard that Malotyre and Clarkj (1996) opined that the attitude of parent determine the quality of education their children or wards receive in primary school. The positive attitude of the parent has a positive impact on their children's performance and aspirations helps in raising knowledge and increasing understanding and facilitates academic progress through the involvement of parents in their children's academic activities. On the other hand, the negative attitude of parents towards their children's education has a negative effect on their academic progress leading to poor academic performance and consequently the withdrawal of such children from school. This makes such children take to the street and become a menace to society later in life.

However, Obodochi (2003)  opined that most parents in the rural areas of Nigeria are careless about the primary education of their children and as such put up a negative attitude towards their children’s education at the level. This is so because most rural dwellers in Nigeria are more interested in achieving short term immediate development of their children as such prefer sending their children to learn vocational trade or assist them in farm work but parents in urban areas have a positive attitude to education of their children and wards owing to their perception about education and the value they attach to education and its effect on the future of their children.

 

It is in this regard that Wilkinson (1997)  states that the perception of the value of education to a large extent determines the attitude of parents towards their children in Kwali Area Council Abuja.

 

1.2     Statement of Problem

Primary education is the foundation of education and is very vital to a child’s educational development Okoh (2005).

But in spite of the importance of primary education to children’s educational development, the attitude of parents towards their children's education is unsatisfactory and remains a big impediment to primary education in the area under study. This is evident in the high rate of street hawking by children of primary school age and enrolment in vocational trade during school hours. This is attributed to a myriad of vague problems ranging from poverty to cultural and religious constraints as well as parents' loss of faith in the Western educational sequel to the declining standard of education and the high rate of unemployed graduates combing the street in search of jobs endlessly. Hence the attitude of most parents towards the education of their children becomes questionable.

 

It is against this, that the subject matter: Attitude of parents toward the primary education of their children is seen as a problem worthy of being studied. As such the searchlight is on Kwali Area Council Abuja.

 

• The Objective Of The Study

The central objective of the study is to examine the attitude of parents towards the primary education of their children in Kwali Area Council Abuja. The specific objectives are:

• To find out the perception of parents about the value of primary education on their children's educational development in Kwali Area Council.
• To evaluate parents' involvement in their children's academic work in Kwali Area Council.
• To determine whether the declining standard of primary education affect parent attitude toward their children's education.
• To identify that parental attitude that is militating against primary education in Kwali Area Council.

1. To make recommendations for practice, policy and future research on the subject matter.

 

1.4     Significance of the Study

The significance of a study of this magnitude cannot be overemphasized. Parents, local government education departments, and state and federal ministries of education involved in policy formulation and implementation would find this study really useful especially as they utilize the findings of the study.

 

The study will equally add to the existing body of knowledge on the subject matter. Students undergoing research work similar to the present study who may wish to use this work as reference material or a springboard for their own work will find this work really useful.

 

1.5     Research Questions

1. What is the perception of parents about the value of primary education in Kwali Area Council Abuja?
2. How involved are parents in their children's academic work in Kwali Area Council Primary schools?
3. Does the declining standard of primary education have any effect on parent attitude toward their children's primary education?
4. What are those parental attitudes that militate against the primary education of children in Kwali Area Council?

 

1.6     Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study covers the empirical examination of the attitude of parents towards the primary education of their children in Kwali Area Council. The study equally covers the perception of parents about the value of primary education as well as their involvement in their children's academic work. The study also seeks to find out whether the declining standard of education has any effect on the attitude of parents toward their children's primary education as well as the parental attitude that militate against primary education in Kwali Area Council Abuja

The research is limited by the inaccessibility of research subjects resulting in using less than a fair representative sample, low return rate of questionnaires, and inability to use correct data gathering instruments due to ignorance between the researcher’s institution and the study area.

 

1.7     Definition of Terms

All the terms will be defined as they were used in the context of this research.

• Parental Attitude: The way parents behave toward their children in primary school.
• Parents: This refers to a father, mother or guardian's responsibility for the educational training of wards or their children in primary school.
• Primary School: School for children between the ages of 5 and 11 establish for elementary studies.
• School Management: This is an act of getting things done through teachers or the day to day running and administration of the primary school.
• Educational Policy: This is the statement of the government on education.
• Educational leadership: This is the process of formulating and implementing educational policies in primary schools.
• Headteacher: A teacher who is in charge of primary school.

EDITOR SOURCE: Attitude Of Parents Towards Primary Education Of Their Children In Nigeria

 

ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN NIGERIA

 ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It has been the general assumption that children with reasonable physical care would grow into normal happy adulthood. But scientific investigations by psychologists, sociologist and psychiatrists regarding personality development has uncovered the greater importance of growing up and its lasting effects on the total personality of a person. Adult personality has its root in childhood. What we can do as adults are largely determined by the ways in which we were allowed to experience inevitable events of childhood.

 

Thus the aim of this research work is to shed more light on the issue of child abuse and neglect in Kaduna South Local Government of Kaduna State.

 

A child is neglected when he lacks continuous physical and emotional contact with his mother. Children under this category may be due to the loss of a mother or both parents or the separation of both parents, this child may be sent to nursery school or orphanages with many children which makes it difficult for special individual attention to be rendered to each child. Those children are therefore brought up by strangers which could be changed at different times due to the shift of their studies.

 

Child abuse on the other hand can be defined as the portion of harm to children that result from human action or inaction that is prescribed, proximate and preventable. The definition recognizes that such harm is no accident but something perpetrated on children by others, usually intestinally and that the actors inflicting this harm do not enjoy society's approval. It is also pointed out that abuse generally comes from the child's immediate environment and that it is preventable child neglect is a passive form of maltreatment or abuse UNICEF (1986).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Kaduna South Local Government Area was created on 23rd September 1991 by the Babangida’s regime. Hitherto it was part and parcel of Kaduna Local Government. The Local Government Council has its headquarters located at Makera, comprising two districts namely: Tudun Wada and Makera, each district is headed by a district head and supported by village and wards councillors, Kaduna South shares a common boundary with Kaduna North to the North West. The two districts share a common boundary with the other districts located in the three local government areas. Kaduna South has a population of 373,576 as per the 2006 census. 

 

Education

However, in the education, the area is having about (29) public schools which (are 8) primary schools in Tudun Wada and (13) in Makera and five (5) secondary schools in Tudunwada and three (3) in Makeri.

 

Furthermore, the area is having private nursery/primary and secondary schools approximately one hundred and twenty-four (124) i.e. 80 in Tudun Wada and (44) in Makera district.

 

Adult education programmes and constructed apart from the various vocational training centres, run by various organizations like (YMCA). Apart from Kaduna Polytechnic as a higher institution of learning. There is a prison school at Barnawa, a Health Institution like the school of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of psychiatric Barnawa.  

 

There are over fifty (50) large and small scale industries that abound in the local government and some include, textile, defence corporation, Nigeria Breweries, Peugeot Automobile, KFCC, fertilizer superphosphate, pharmaceutical company, and blanket industry just to mention a few.

 

To boost commercial activities in the local government area and the markets and up to R. Tourist attractions and hotels, the council has six (6) tourist areas and about twelve (12) hotels. Kaduna South Local Government areas are well connected by road, bridges and railway line system.

 

Thus, the above mentioned geographical, emotional, educational and administrative features taken together give Kaduna South its unique characteristics. It was discovered that the habitants have little or no knowledge of what child abuse is.

 

Some with dishes roaming the street and begging for food and aims for a certain belief. They were also denied educational pursuit and a child's right to decide for themselves what they want to become in future. Without being told, you will see for yourself how little children hawk around from morning till evening for financial support, this researcher strongly, believes is one of the causes of child abuse and neglect because this kind of occupation endangers the child’s life and expose him to a hard situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The researcher’s concern to delve into the affairs of CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State becomes necessary because the record available to this researcher shows that since the creation of Kaduna South from the former Kaduna local government there was not been any necessary attempt for research work into the activities of child abuse and neglect.

 

However, it is widely believed that the good image of any social or community depends largely on the social background of its children. Therefore, the problem of child abuse in the local government has been total neglect to large extent. A situation brought about probably by the undesirable element in our society mostly associated with women folk and partly perhaps the government who have not given enough attention to the ugly situation in the area but rather sitting on chairs in offices. Based on this, the researcher will seriousness wishes to know the activities to the authority concerned with the affairs of child abuse, towards educating the people of the area and of course suggest ways on how to improve and implements their programme towards making the entire area a conducive place of living.

 

 1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

       The following are the objectives of the study:

a.  To identify the factors responsible for child neglect

b. To determine the factors responsible for child neglect

c.  To identify the factors responsible for child abuse. To determine the rating of the factors responsible for child abuse

 

1.5  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

       The following research question guided the study:

a.  The absence of either parent in any family setting can also perhaps bring about child abuse

b. Roaming the street and begging for food and aims for certain beliefs will equally bring in child abuse

c.  The act of ignorance among the parent will make a child not go to school but hawk all day and that also brings in child abuse

d. The occupational pressure of the working parent is also a contributing factor to child abuse

 

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is the opportunity to do or achieve something which children are being abused of more to say, production of two many children to the wide world and not taking care of them should be eradicated by family planning to space the recreation of babies. 

 

However, the absence of a mother in any family setting can also perhaps bring about child abuse and the study is out in looking for a suitable solution to resolving it, through the government and the societal people to be aware of the child to try to come affection, warmth etc.

 

Finally, the scope of the study is to improve the standard of living of clued not by seen influenced by the absence of one parent and two much of giving birth babies.

 

The government should Endeavour to encourage agencies to treat such a social ill or evil in the society.

 

1.7  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is an attempt to provide evidence and identify patterns of child abuse and neglect with a view to offering suggestions and recommendations that will date the level. This study would be of immense value to parents, counselling teachers with low levels of education and children. The finding and suggestions resulting from this study will go a long way in helping parents and guidance to know irritating entrance or actions, it has on youth and children or young once which can be economical, psychological or society which will enable parents, adults, to adjust in order to ensure smooth development of children. It will also address the practical problem which when left will cut at the very root of civilized ethics particularly significant at present a bold attempt to go into an area of scarcity literature.

 

1.8  DEFINITION OF TERMS

Child: Child is defined as a dependent person in the custody of a parent or guardian for the protection of his/her life.

Abuse: Is any deliberate act by a person: or group of people in a society designed to inflict on a child or parent normal, mental physical, emotional and normal development.

Neglect: This usually occurs when families fail on their own part to provide the necessary need for their children such as food, medical care or being deprived of the essential need of life or it is a situation where one shows a sign of suffering or lack of care and attention.

Child care: This is care which is supposed to be given to children by those who are responsible for looking after them provide them with childcare facilities.

Child Abuse: Those are the cruel treatment of children by adults involving violence or sexual activities which is capable of affecting physically, mentally and psychologically.

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The child abuse menace is as old as the birth of the first child, until very recently child maltreatment has never been seen as a social problem. It was falsely assumed that such physical punishments are supposed to correct bad behaviour and ensure conformity. But the consequential distorted personality of the child disproves the assumption. This study aims at showing that it is only through the care of children will one gains experience and develops an interest in finding out more about the affliction of the Nigerian child. In addition, the researcher hopes that those who are able to read this will get to know and pray that the past experiences of this silent suffering will serve to prevent tomorrow’s children from a similar fate. 

 

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Assessment Of The Factors Responsible For Child Abuse And Neglect In Nigeria

 

AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF TEACHING OF ENGLISH GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES IN SOME SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS

 AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF TEACHING OF ENGLISH GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES IN SOME SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

The teaching and learning of the English Language are very important in our society today. This is because of the various roles it plays in the geopolitical structure of the country. In Nigeria, the English Language is used for communication, education, and economic and social purposes. In the school system, the English Language is not only taught as a subject but it is also the core subject by which over school subject is being taught.

Despite the above, less attention is given to the grammatical aspect of English in primary school. Today, the nature of teaching and learning of English grammatical structure in primary school has become an area of great interest to teachers, researchers, and policymakers because through it the acquisition of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) is greatly enhanced.

In view of the above, grammatical structure which entails English tenses, parts of speech, punctuation, concord, clauses and phrases, is of immense importance to the teaching, learning and mastery of the English language among primary school pupils. Therefore it must not only be taught to the pupils, but it should be taken seriously at the primary school level since primary education is a better foundation on which the future depends.

Looking however at what is applicable in some selected primary schools in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the general practice by both teachers and pupils towards the teaching and learning of English grammatical structure is not encouraging. Emphasis has shifted from learning the grammar of the language to teaching writing and reading comprehension, the use of past common entrance examination question papers, the teaching of spellings, dictation etc instead of adequate instruction/explanation on the aspects of English grammatical structures which is much needed by the pupils.

Lack of trained/qualified teachers, inadequate materials (textbooks and teaching aids), poor classroom facilities, the ambiguity of some English syllabi, inadequate evaluation of teacher’s work by the supervisory authority, the teacher’s inability to properly evaluate pupils’ work on grammar, are all contributory factors to pupils’ poor performance is not only the grammatical structure but other aspects of English language at large.

Therefore the teaching and learning of the English language in primary school should be to ensure that pupils have good knowledge and mastery of the grammatical structures and the ability to use these effectively for a better improvement in the English language. This is what has actually prompted the need for this research.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

The problem to be investigated in “An evaluative study of the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in some primary schools.”

The research work is aimed at identifying the causes of pupils’ poor performance in using English structural items correctly. As a result of this, and other problems, this research will specifically investigate the following:

1. How pupils in primary schools are motivated to learn and use English grammatical structures.
2. The methods and techniques employed by teachers in the teaching of English structural items in the primary school and the effectiveness of these methods and techniques.

• The types of materials (textbooks/teaching aids) used by the teachers and how relevant these materials are to the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures.

1. The types of teachers employed to teach the English language in the primary school.
2. The areas of difficulty faced by teachers and pupils in the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in primary schools.
3. Suggest how best to improve the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in primary school.

1.3    Objectives of the Study

          The objectives of this research are:

1. Find out how English grammatical structures are being taught in primary school.
2. Address the various challenges faced by teachers and learners of English, especially in the aspects of grammatical structures.
3. Make educational planners, language policy makers, curriculum developers and educational administrators to be aware of what is happening in the field (classroom).
4. Identify problem areas in the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in primary schools and proffer solutions to such identified problems.
5. Assess and evaluate the quality of teachers teaching English and the materials used in the teaching of English grammatical structures whether the materials are adequate, relevant or not.
6. Finally, this research work will suggest and recommend some measures for improving the standard of English language teaching and learning with a special focus on grammatical structures at the primary school level.

 

 

1.4    Hypothesis

There has been great and serious concern from parents, teachers and educational bodies about the declining standard of pupils’ performance in the English language. It is because of this that the researcher sets out to test the following hypotheses:         

1. i) That pupils in the primary school show a non-challant attitude to the learning of English grammatical structures due to its rules and technicalities.
2. ii) That some of the teachers teaching English are not qualified to teach English.

• iii) That some teachers use methods that are inappropriate and inadequate for pupils' comprehension in the teaching of English grammatical structures.

1. iv) That there is general neglect by both teachers and pupils on the aspect of grammatical structures.
2. v) That some English textbooks are inadequate, outdated and inappropriate for pupils’ learning background.

 

1.5    Scope and Delimitation of the Study

Due to the large size of the study area and the number of primary schools availably, the researcher finds it uneasy to cover the whole primary schools in the local government area. Few schools are therefore randomly selected for the purpose of this study, namely:

1. i) G.E.A Primary School, U/Sarki
2. ii) G.E.A Primary School, U/Rimi

• iii) G.E.A Primary School, Kaduna

1. iv) G.E.A Primary School, Kawo
2. v) E. A Primary School, U/Shanu.
3. vi) G.E.A Primary School, M/Gari.

This research is also going to centre on the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in the above primary schools only.

 

 

ABSTRACT

This research work is concerned with the evaluative study of teaching and learning English grammatical structures in primary school. The research deals with the nature, objectives, methods steps and problems of teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in some selected primary schools in Kaduna North Local Government. In chapter one, the problem to be investigated was stated; the objectives, hypothesis, scope and delimitation of the study were well treated. While chapter two reviews relevant literature related to the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in primary school. The last three chapters centred on research methodology (i.e. methods of data collection), tabulation, analysis and discussion of data collected, summary, and recommendations for the improvement of teaching and learning of grammatical structures in the primary school; there is also a general conclusion of all the issues raised in this research work.

 

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: An Evaluative Study Of Teaching Of English Grammatical Structures In Some Selected Primary Schools

 

A SURVEY OF THE LANGUAGE OF NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT

 A SURVEY OF THE LANGUAGE OF NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1   Background of the Study

Advertising is a form of communication used to encourage or persuade an audience (viewer, reader or listeners) to continue to take some new action. Most commonly, the desired result is to influence consumers’ behaviour with respect to a commercial offering, although, political and ideological advertising is also common. The purpose of advertising may also be to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful. Advertising messages are usually paid for by sponsors and viewed via various traditional media: including mass media such as newspapers, magazines, television commercials, radio advertisements, outdoor advertising or direct mail, or new media such as websites and text messages.

Advertising has been defined as “a powerful communication force and a vital marketing tool helping to sell goods and services, images and ideas”…. (Wright, 2003:8). Similarly, Roderick (1980:4) defines advertising as “a message specified by its originator, carried by a communication system and intended to influence and/or inform an unknown audience.” Advertising may also be seen as “a group of activities aiming at and including dissemination of information in any paid product or service to compel actions in accordance with the intent of an identifiable sponsor” (Doughuge, 1985:8).

Advertising has a long history, with some options tracing its origin to the story of Adam, Eve and the serpent in the Bible (Okigbo, 1985:10 and Weffer, 1985:6). Wright (2000:4) however, opines that advertising started in ancient Babylon at about 3000BC when inscriptions for an ointment dealer, a scribe and a shoe maker were made on clay tablets. Sandage and Fryburger (1963) argue that Egyptians first wrote runaway-slave announcements on papyrus at about 3200BC. In Africa, town crying and hawking were the earliest forms of advertising. These have survived in many Nigerian villages to date. With respect to media advertising, which is the focus of this paper Sandage and Fryburger (cited in Okeke, 2006:24) suggest that the first media advertising was done in London in 1477 when a prayer book was announced for sale, while the first newspaper advertisement appeared in the Boston Newsletter in 1704

The print media came into Nigeria in 1859 with the appearance of a Yoruba language newspaper “Iwe Iroyin” published by Reverend Henry Townsend at Abeokuta. The publication carried an advert in form of an announcement for the Anglican Church.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is noteworthy that the earliest forms of newspaper advertising were crude and unsophisticated. But they not only help the local merchants to sell their goods, or services but also set a pace for the modern methods of advertising, which have over a long period of time undergone tremendous changes such that today, a lot can be written on the language of advertising in Nigeria. This is possible because advertising has become more professional, involving copywriters who exploit all the available linguistic devices to make their adverts not only persuasive but also aesthetically appealing. This paper, therefore, attempts a linguistic analysis of the language of newspaper advertising in Nigeria, highlighting the phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic features that make them attractive and persuasive.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study sought to survey the language of newspaper advertisements. Specifically, the study sought to;

1. To know how to construct adverts to attract readers or viewers.

2. To be able to distinguish the terminology to use in different adverts.

3. To be able to determine the right choice of language used in newspaper advertisements.

4. To understand the need for long or short newspaper adverts.

1.4 Research Questions

The following will help guide the research study in achieving its objectives:

1. What makes you stop and look at the adverts?

2. What kind of adverts do you place in newspapers?

3. What kind of caption should be given to adverts?

4. What kind of message should be driven out through advertisement?

5. Should the advert be short or lengthy?

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be able to unveil some of those hidden facts about the use and choice of languages used in newspaper advertisements, and also bring about more refined advert outputs. This research study will be highly relevant to the readers, and especially to the world of journalism in the way and manner in which adverts are to be constructed and be placed in newspapers for public consumption.

The study will also help to ensure that the choices of languages of newspaper adverts are properly selected so that those who pay for the adverts will be satisfied with the publications, and that the readers’ attention will be captured at the sight of such adverts.

1.7 Scope/Limitations of the Study

This study is a survey of the language of newspaper advertisement, a case study of vanguard newspaper.

Limitations of study

1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted to the research work.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Advertisement: A notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, or event or publicizing a job vacancy.

Newspaper: A printed publication (usually issued daily or weekly) consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, articles, advertisements, and correspondence.

Language: The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: A Survey Of The Language Of Newspaper Advertisement: A Case Study Of Vanguard Newspaper