CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Education in Nigeria is an instrument “par excellence” for effecting national development. Primary education is the education given in institutions 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 (FGN, 2004). For long, educationists have contended that the basis of the primary education could fairly dictate the pace of future educational development. The secondary and fro that matter, post secondary education are largely buttressed by the effectiveness of the foundation of primary education (Denga, 1986).The National Policy on Education (2004), outlined the following objectives of primary education.
– inculcate permanent literacy and numeracy and ability to communicate effectively,
– lay a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking
– give citizenship education as a basis for effective participation in and contribution to the life of the society;
– mould the character and develop sound attitude and morals in the child;
– develop in the child the ability to adapt to the child’s changing environment;
– give the child opportunities for developing manipulative skills that will enable the child function effectively in the society within the limit of the child’s capacity;
– provide the child with basic tools for further educational advancement including preparation for trades and crafts of the locality.