Abstract
This research project is aimed at finding the effect of poor learning environment on the Academic achievement of primary schools in Nigeria. This study was conducted in some primary schools. To Udi local government area in Enugu State to determine the multi-dimensional influence, which the school environment has on the Academic achievement of pupils in primary schools in Nigeria, especially in Udi local government area. The instruments used to obtain information were questionnaire (Directed to pupils, school records and schedules).
The data collected were analyzed to the form of percentages. The findings that school environment consists of a set of physical, socio-economic and psychological elements, which affects the performance of pupils both positively and negatively, paves way for the knowledge of the problems of school pupils in Udi local government area. These elements and conditions were, school building and other facilities, the teacher, his leadership styles and competence including instructional materials/Aids. However, this study therefore, will look at the environmental effect on Academic achievement of Nigerian school children in Udi local government area of Enugu State.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In Africa, the child is regarded as very important and highly valued. Due to this reason, the Africans do not disregard their futures and fate. There is a general belief or assumption in Africa that the children will grow up, tend and take care of their old parents.
Emphasis is thereby laid on the primary education of the child, which is seen as the basic foundation the child needs in order to equip him for the future education and adulthood.
1.1 Background of the Study
The school as a formal institution is established and set aside by the society for learning, transformation and preservation of the cultural heritage of the people. Nevertheless, teaching and learning can also take place in other places like the family, the church, the mass media and other formal and informal organizations.
Primary education is the bedrock of the entire educational structure and also the gateway to whatever endeavors the individual pursues and achieve in life. A good primary education is a sineque-non, a requirement to solid secondary and tertiary education.
In the education of the child, the primary school plays a very crucial role. To this effect, the National Policy on education (NPE) states that, primary education refers to the education given in institution for children aged 6 to 11 plus. Since the rest of the education system is built upon it, the primary level is the key to the success or failure of the whole system.
According to Ugwu (2000), the goals of primary education are to:
a. Inculcate permanent literacy and numeracy and ability to communicate effectively.
b. To lay a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking.
c. To give citizenship education as a basis for effective participation and contribution to the life of the society.
d. To mold the character and develop sound attitude and morals in the child.
e. To develop in the child the ability to adapt to the child’s changing environment.
f. Again, to give the child opportunities for developing manipulative skills that will enable the child function effectively in the society within the limits of the child’s capacity.
g. Finally, to provide the child with basic tools for further educational advancement, including preparation for trades and crafts of the locality.
In a study by Earthman, (2004), the school environment refers to all the objects, forces and conditions in the school, which influence the child physically, intellectually, and emotionally. He also concluded that the quality of the physical environment significantly affects students’ achievement.