Assessment Of Factors Responsible For Poor Academic Performance Of Senior Secondary School In Christian Religious Studies

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The primary aim of teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies is not based on instructing youths in a particular faith or ideology with a view of securing their commitments but rather, it is educating youths for the understanding of the Christian faith (Ilori, 1992). Again, the role of teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) is concerned about helping the youths to understand the nature of the present secular and pluralistic society and to help them think rationally about the state and place of Christian religion in the society. This is with a view to enable them chose objectively between the many conflicting religious beliefs and practices prevalent in the society today.

Christian Religious Studies refers to the systematic study of Christian faith as contained in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Holy Bible (Baiyeri, 2010). It is a field of study that is taught at primary, post-primary and tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria. The Federal Government of Nigeria stipulates that “instruction at all levels has to be oriented towards inculcating moral and spiritual principle in interpersonal and human relations” (FRN, 2004). Christian Religious Studies is one of the subjects in the school’s curriculum and it is offered in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE). It is one of the Social Subject subjects. Christian Religious Studies is a subject because it is an approach to problems in other subjects.

The issue of poor academic performance of secondary school students in CRS examination has been attributed to some factors such as the school environment, peer influence, the family dynamics, etc (Ekeh and Njoku, 2013). But, of all these factors, the researcher feels that roleplay method of teaching play key role in relation to students’ academic achievement in CRS. Student’s mass failure in C.R.S is also affected by numerous factor including gender, age, teaching faculty, students schooling, father/guardian social economic status, residential area of students, medium of instructions in schools, tuition trend, daily study hour and accommodation as hostelries or day scholar. Many researchers conducted detailed studies about the factors contributing student poor performance at different study levels. Graetz (1995) suggested “A student educational success contingent heavily on social status of student’s parents/ guardians in the society. Considine and Zappala (2002) noticed the same that parent’s income or social status positively affects the student test score in examination.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It has been observed that in most schools, students fail in their SSCE in Christian Religious Studies. The past performance of students in Borogo local Government Area in Christian Religious Studies is too deteriorating and not impressive. The record shows that while a few school show good performance in the subject others have not performed so-well. While a few schools recorded as high as an average of 80% over a period of many years. The majorities fall below 40% over many years. The majority of the schools performance in Christian Religious Studies is very poor. According to WAEC Chief Examiners’ reports in 2012 and 2013, there is low performance of students in CRS in WASCE, 62.03% failed while 37.9% passed. The number that failed is greater than the number that passed. The continuous poor achievement of secondary school students in CRS over the decades could be attributed to poor methods of teaching. The question is what are the causes of mass failure in Christian Religious Studies in Senior Secondary Schools? It is likely that among the reasons, the following are noticeable, Lack of textbooks for students, Lack of instructional materials, Inadequate qualified teachers to teach the students, the libraries are not well equipped, students attitude towards the subject. A lot of reasons have been adduced to this, which led to the study on the factors responsible for poor academic performance of senior secondary school in Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to find out the factors responsible for poor academic performance of senior secondary school in Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State. Specifically, the study sought to

1. Ascertain whether Insufficient numbers of qualified teachers affects students’ academic performance in Christian Religious Studies.
2. Ascertain whether unavailability of instructional materials for teaching affects students’ academic performance in Christian Religious Studies.
3. Determine the extent poor method of teaching affect teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies.
4. Determine the extent interest and attitudes of students and teachers affect the teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies in the secondary schools.

1.4 Research Questions

In assessing the purpose of the study, this research project will answer the following questions:

1. Does Insufficient numbers of qualified teachers affects students’ academic performance in Christian Religious Studies?
2. Does unavailability of instructional materials for teaching affects students’ academic performance in Christian Religious Studies
3. To what extent does poor method of teaching affect teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies?
4. To what extent does interest and attitudes of students and teachers affect the teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies in the secondary schools?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Ho: There are no significant factors affecting the teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State.

Ha: There are significant factors affecting the teaching and learning of Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study focused on identifying the factors responsible for poor academic performance of senior secondary school in Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State and suggest the remedies to be taken in order to rescue the situation. This study also play an important role to the curriculum planners and implementers since it can guide them in identifying which areas to put more emphasis on in order to improve performance of CRS in secondary schools. This research can also help to identify the major factors that lead to poor performance of CRS in secondary schools in Nigeria the finding of this evaluation study will shed light on how the real situation is and give valuable recommendations according to the findings. Several research works has been reported and proposed recommendations, however the situation is getting even worse over the years meaning that the best feasible and sustainable solutions must be found.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on the factors responsible for poor academic performance of senior secondary school in Christian Religious Studies in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State. The respondent for this study will be obtained from some selected secondary schools in Yenegoa L.G.A Bayelsa State.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

This research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study’s completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents’ interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were financial and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Academic Performance:

Is the outcome of education to the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational grades.

Poor Performance:

It is unsatisfactory outcome results of examinations, which is failure and cannot help a candidate in any way. Poor performance denotes by letter F which ranges from 21to 0.

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

1. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
2. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
3. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
4. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
5. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.