ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to find
out the factors influencing choice of school subjects by senior secondary
students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state. The study was aimed at
ascertaining the factors influencing the choice of subjects by senior secondary
school students. In the process of carrying out the study, questionnaires were
administered to six (6) different secondary schools. The data collected were
analyzed and interpreted simple percentage method. The point of emphasis is to
find solutions to the highlighted problems hindering the choice of subjects by
senior secondary school students of Edo state. The recommendation include
government should recognize the importance of career counsellors in secondary
schools. There should be reduction of the subjects offered in senior secondary
schools and also provides conducive learning environment for the secondary
school students.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER
ONE
Introduction
Background of the study
Statement of problem
Purpose of the study
Research questions
Significance of the study
Limitation of study
Definition of terms
CHAPTER
TWO
Literature review
CHAPTER
THREE
Research methodology
Design of the study
The study sample
Research instrument
Data analysis
CHAPTER
FOUR
Analysis and interpretation
of data
Analysis of the
questionnaire
CHAPTER
FIVE
Summary, conclusion and
recommendations
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
From
the secondary school age, the adolescents are often faced with the problems of
choosing subjects that are suitable and relevant for the attainment of a dream
career. This process of choice making leads the adolescent to select one form
of subject or the other in which he/she is best suited.
According to Okeke (1993) in
pre-colonial Nigeria, the acquisition of skills did not require more
specialized assistant because it was used informally at home, in families, in
village squares and at moon light games. These purposes were clearly understood
by the citizens who imparted the skills such as practical transmission of local
customs, moral, religious and social values.
Furthermore, it was a situation in
which young people suddenly learnt their father’s profession. Therefore, if the
father was a blacksmith, what this means is that abilities, interest and
occupational needs of the pre-colonial society and other variable factors were
not considered before choosing occupation by children.
It has also been observed that in a
simple society, choice of career of subjects relating to such career does not
require specialized assistance. In such situation, parents or even peer group
could be of influence in some society; there has been little or no knowledge of
what goes on in schools. It becomes pertinent that the schools should have
valuable assistance in this direction. Students who pass their secondary final
examination could always secure employment. This secondary school certificate
serves as visa for employment and for admission into higher institutions.
In
modern age, the quest for knowledge and excellence has made the society more
complex and as a result creates the problems of career choice among youths just
coming out from secondary schools. Often, the adolescent students choose
subjects for which they have no interest or ability on and the effect is always
failure on the part of the students and in some cases, frustration which
eventually leads to drop out with thus choosing a suitable and interesting
subjects becomes every developing adolescent’s problem which he or she must in
one time or the other face in life time. This eventually becomes not just the
individual student’s problem but societal and government responsibility.
Most importantly, the choice of
subject is very crucial in the lives of students as it may affect every aspect
of their lives. It is so because it determines the student’s career lives. A
right choice in subject making will always afford the students the opportunity
to actualize potentials in their chosen future career.
Jauyeola (1997) opined that our young
ones need constant guidance in choice of subject. This is because it is common
find students choosing subjects for which they have little or no aptitude or interest
only to end frustration in the long run.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Owing to the fact that a country’s
development lies on the youths of the country which the next generation and
engine to growth , therefore, this study intends to examine the specific
factors or issues that serve as a barrier to choice of school subjects by
senior secondary school students.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research work was carried out to
examine the factors influencing choice of school subjects by senior secondary
school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state as its main
objectives with others are:
It is aimed at bringing light to
various factors influencing choice of school subjects by senior secondary
school students. This study will also determine the relative influence of each factor
that affects student’s choice in their secondary schools. Finally, the
researcher intends to discover how students combine choice of subject in line
with their future career.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following are the research
questions for this study:
1. Does
the counselling services provided by teachers to student’s choice of subject?
2. Does
peer group influence affect students’ choice of subject?
3. Does
the socio-economic background of students affect the choice of school subjects?
4. Does
government regulation affect students’ choice of subject?
5. Does
ineffectiveness of senior secondary school teachers reflect on choice of
subject made by students?
6. Does
student’s academic performance and appropriate reading manner affect their
choice of subject?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Most parents are ill-informed about
the opportunities opened to their children. There is also lack of awareness of
what should be the factors to consider before choosing subjects among students
themselves. There is also the conflicting value of students at times when they
are faced with the problems of making the right choice.
This study will help students
understand themselves, become more effective, be more productive and appear
being. Also, the study intend to reinforce the need for training and updating
school counsellors who will be of help to the interpretation of students’ test
result to place them where they are needed. This study is also aimed at
reducing social vices of our young people. many students have drop out of
schools due to their inability to
recognize their potentials. This study will put them into normal human track
and make him sensitive to societal norms/values.
Therefore, the overall significance of
this study is to reveal the career aspiration of students and on the promise
that it will help career guidance experts in assisting tomorrow’s leaders, making
a social decision as regards to their school subject which will save these
you8ng people from future failure and frustrations which make them productive
and equip them with the prerequisite knowledge for future learning.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
The geographical nature of Edo state
and with the large number of senior secondary schools, this research therefore
is limited to Oredo Local Government Area only.
This study is to examine the factors
influencing choice of school subjects by senior secondary school students. It
is aimed at identifying the factors responsible for students in senior
secondary schools so that they can have a brighter future.
Other limitations include inability
and insufficient time to make a research for this nature or standard more
comprehensive, the huge financial implication preventing the researcher from
sampling all the senior secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Choice: the
willingness to select among other options.
Manner: the
way something is done or happens.
Significance:
something that is large or important enough to have an effect.
Subject: an
area of knowledge that one studies in school or university.
Counsellor: one
who has been trained to advice students with problems or pressing issues.
Influence: the
factors that affect human decisions making.
Factors:
they are reasons behind certain happenings or why certain things happen.