CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Education is one the important factors which helps in bringing about rapid social and economic development in any given nation. It is a medium through which various categories of man power is developed and sustainable development achieved. It is the manpower resources that utilize the available physical and financial resources to provide the services and function that eventually bring about economic and social development.
According to Onah (2008), education refers to a family process or activities intend to bring about learning. It is a process of developing knowledge, ability in learners in such a way that they use this knowledge to improve themselves and the society. The process of education involves different methods of transmitting information with the intention of bringing about positive change in the behaviour of the students. The best way of developing human resources and human capital is through education within the context or framework of their level of understanding.
Education of students is the best way through which teachers find their fulfillment and actualization. The Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE) is a public examination in Nigeria conducted by each state of the federation through their respective Ministry of Education (MOE) for final year students of the junior Secondary School. Each state also develops administer marks, awards, grades and certificate to all public schools under its jurisdiction. Since English language and Integrated science are meant to serve as the yardstick for admission into the senior secondary school as the core subjects. A student who is there by admitted is assumed to posses the abilities and skills necessary to cope with the academic challenges.
According to Oga and Udemba (2007) posited that English language is one of the major languages out of about 5,000 estimated languages spoken in the world. It is one of the most influential and fastest growing languages spoken across the globe. One fifth of the earth’s land surface use English language either as native tongue or official language. It is the most widely studied language used by entire world especially in areas where it is not native. Likewise integrated science according to Oladimeji in Ene (1991) is defined as amalgamated course designed to show the unity, wholeness and interrelationship of the distinct disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and so forth, should not be discernible. It is the virture of its name by bringing together of different branches of science as a unified whole through the concepts and methods which pervade the natural science. English language as the major language makes the transmission of integrated science effective and efficient (from new encyclopedia Britannica vol. 27p 32 2005).
Science is simply defined as knowledge for natural process that are universal among mankind, which has existed since the dawn of human existence. It is the study of nature, which includes man and his environment. The study of science is the effort the discover and increase human understanding of how the physical world works.
According to Otiji (2008), the early modern science, this period is believed to have started in 1543 when De Revolution Ibus by the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was first printed, which hinged on the assumption that the earth moves round the sun. The introduction of science as the iron age that set in metals such as bronze, copper and gold. It brought the transformation of Local technology to modern technology which the junior secondary students do as integrated. Science as a subject. The science and technology of today is said to have evolved gradually through the period of 300-500 BC to the present day advanced stage with the invention of very advanced cutting edge technologies. It is borne out of man’s desire and curiosity to know more about himself, his environment and how to solve his problems to make life more comfortable.
Ofuebe (2007) views science as a variety of information, abilities and operations about the natural environment. Science is more concerned with various investigative processes and activities with regards to developing, acquiring and controlling knowledge, skills, capabilities and attitudes about the natural factors of the environment. From these processes, reliable and verifiable information are accumulated for used in science and other disciplines.