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Comparism Of Academic Performance Of Junior Secondary School Students In English Language Computer Science And Integrated Science In External Examinations

(A Case Study Of Enugu North Lga)

5 Chapters
|
50 Pages
|
8,179 Words

In evaluating the academic performance of junior secondary school students in external examinations, a thorough examination of their achievements in English Language, Computer Science, and Integrated Science reveals distinctive patterns. English Language, being a fundamental subject, serves as a litmus test for students’ communication skills and linguistic proficiency. Computer Science, on the other hand, delves into the ever-evolving technological landscape, assessing students’ grasp of computational concepts and problem-solving abilities. Integrated Science, combining aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics, provides a holistic understanding of the natural world. Analyzing these subjects collectively exposes the diverse strengths and weaknesses of students, highlighting the importance of a balanced educational approach that nurtures both linguistic and scientific competencies. The examination outcomes reflect not only subject-specific aptitudes but also underscore the significance of a well-rounded education that prepares students for the challenges of the modern academic landscape.

ABSTRACT

The research investigated the comparison of academic performances of junior Science in External Examinations from 2003- 2007. This study is a survey research design. It is a research conducted on a large number o f people to identify general opinion. The study was carried out in Enugu North Local Government Area. The area belongs to Enugu Educational Zone. The population of the study consist of all the students and teachers in junior secondary schools in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State. The population of the students are 20, 470 while that of teachers are 4, 300. We used four junior secondary schools as our sample out of the junior secondary schools in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State. Random sampling techniques were used to select ten (10) students from each of the schools used in the table listed above to ensure that the relevant features of the population were adequately represented. Five (5) staff (teachers) from each of the schools were also sampled. The instrument used was a questionnaire design to elicit responses on the items in questions. The researchers used the four like scale of strongly agreed (SA), Agreed (A) Disagreed (D) and strongly |Disagreed (SD). The respondents are required to tick against the column that best describes their views in each item. The questionnaire will be distributed to ten (10) students from each schools and five (5) teachers from each schools and will also be collected through item. The researchers’ used mean to analyze and interpret the data. Interpretation of the data was based on the following scores interval:
SA – Strongly Agreed – 4 points
A – Agreed – 3 points
D – Disagreed – 2 points
SD- Strongly Disagreed – 1 point
The output was determined by finding the mean of each number.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page
Approval Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table Of Contents

 

Chapter One:
1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
1.3 Purpose Of The Study
1.4 Significances Of The Study
1.5 Scope Of The Study
1.6 Research Questions
1.7 Limitations

Chapter Two:
2.0 Review Of Related Literature

2.1 Teachers Perception On The Conduct Of External Examination
2.2 The External Examination Bodies In Nigeria
2.3 External Examination And Assessment

Chapter Three:
3.0 Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area Of The Study
3.3 Population Of The Study
3.4 Sample And Sampling Techniques
3.5 Instrument For Data Collection
3.6 Method Of Data Analysis
3.7 Decision Rule

Chapter Four:
4.0 Presentation And Analysis Of Data

4.1 Research Question 1
4.2 Research Question 2
4.3 Research Question 3

Chapter Five:
5.0 Discussion, Summary And Conclusion

5.1 Discussion Of Findings
5.2 Educational Implication
5.3 Recommendation
5.4 Summary And Conclusion
References
Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Measuring of academic performance of student is challenging since student performance is the product of socio-economic, psychological and environmental factors. Education ought to be growing as a profitable industry with prime objective of maximizing profit by delivering high quality education that produces well educated, skilled mannered students according to needs and requirements of the dynamically growing market. There are two groups of students as generally perceived, that is those who improve and those who don’t improve. Students performance is also affected by different factors such as learning abilities because new paradigm about learning assumes that all students can and should learn at higher levels but it should not be considered as constraint because there are other factors like race, gender, sex that can affect students performance Hansen (2000).
Mishae (2001) explained the effect of age, qualification and distance from learning. Place on the students performance in his explanation concerns the readiness in doing a particular discipline in the school; for instance, a student that is not capable of doing sciences in the secondary school joins sciences because his/her friends are offering the subjects. Winston et al (2002) added that the academic performance of student is also coined in the students impatience (this time discount behavior). Yuonne (1998) further elaborated that students academic performance is very much dependent on SEB (socio-economic background) as per his statement, secondary school students performance is with statically significant differences. Alexander (2001) explained that some of the practice adopted by secondary school administration can also influence their academic performance, such practices like organized study group, debate club, media and culture clubs etc.
According to Bello Lawel, an Abuja based educationist a member of the All Nigeria committee of Principals of secondary school (ANCOPSS). The truth is that the reading culture in Nigeria is generally poor. To make it worse, these days, mot of our students hardly read. Instead they waste their precious time watching televisions or films, listening to music, playing to music, playing video/computer games.

Another educationist Mohammed (2009) attributed the dismal performance on the external examinations to the lackadaisical attitude of the government and its refusal to adequately fund the education sector. According to him, on several occasions we clamored for improved budgeting allocation to the education sector but all these have fallen on deaf ears. For instance, UNESCO recommends that 26 percent of any country’s budget should be allocated to the education sector but instead what do we have in Nigeria.
Government paying lip service to the education sector. Other countries who understand the importance of education have taken proactive steps to adequately fund their education sector. For instance, Ghana has allocated 29 percent to its budget education sector, even far more than the UNESCO recommendation. The same thing with countries like South Africa and Botswana who allocated 35 and 37 percent respectively to the education sector. So until these things are implemented we would continue to morty age the future of our children.
Statement of the problem
Secondary school students performances in external examinations has been a nagging issues in Nigeria generally and particularly in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State.
Language is a medium of institution. For teaching and learning to take place effectively, there must be adequate communication between the learner and the teacher. In Nigeria, English language is a “Lingua Franka”. Except in vernacular, it is used in communicating the learner in all Nigeria schools. The importance of English language can hardly be overemphasized. That is why it appears almost everyday in the school time table.

Unfortunately, a cursory look at the performance of students in English language in particular computer and integrated science in external examination in Eungu North Local Government Area is nothing to write home about. Since computer and integrated science are relatively new in development of science and technology, the researchers would want to find out why there is an always recorded low performance in English language, computer science and integrated science from 2003 -2007 on case study.
Secondly, what facilities are available in teaching and learning of the three subjects in Junior secondary school certificate examination in Enugu Local Government Area.

Purpose of the study
Based on the background and the problem of this study, the main purpose underlying the project is to compare the academic performances of the junior secondary school students in English language, computer science and integrated science in external Examinations from 2003-2007. (A case study of Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State) specifically, the purpose of the study tends to find out:
1. Why there is poor performance of students in external examinations
2. How students perform in external examinations
3. How students perform in English Language, Computer Science and Integrated Science in External Examination and when compared, which one among the listed did perform better than others.

Significance of the study
The usefulness of the research work in educational system cannot be over emphasized if the result of the study is properly utilized. It is going to be a benefit to the students, teachers, parents and government. This would help to provide some information for curriculum designers and classroom teachers in order to utilize relevant approaches to enhance meaningful learning and teaching of English language, Integrated Science and computer science students. Thus, the knowledge of students’ cognitive style and attitude would be very useful in both academic and career enhancement.

Scope of the study
The study was based on the junior secondary school students performance in external examinations in English Language, Integrated Science and Computer science in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State. This specifically covers the following junior secondary schools;
1. New Layout Secondary school
2. Days Secondary School Independent Layout
3. Government secondary school Enugu
4. Coal Camp Secondary School, Enugu
The schools mentioned above are used in this research work for better coverage and easy assessment.

Research questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study. These questions are:-
1. What are the causes of poor performance of students in external examinations?
2. In what ways can the performance of students in external examination be improved?
3. How does students perform in external examination in English language, Computer science and Integrated science and which of the three subjects did they perform better on?

Limitation of the study
For a proper project research to be carried out effectively, there should be some limitations along the line, these limitations includes:
Time Constraint: This is the time consumed by students carryout a particular project research topic.
First and foremost, for a student achieve his or her goals on a project research, there should be an effective plans on how the materials needed can be gotten.
And this will be actualize by proper research which might involve moving from one place to another in search of these materials. By so doing time is consumed.
On the other hand, some students in a particular group may be giving excuses that the time fixed is not suitable for them, some may complain that they usually do their domestic work for their parent during the project research exercise, which may demand all attentions.
In order to balance the equation they should be proper plans on time management.
Money: This involves that money needed for the project to be carried out in a situation whereby the money needed becomes high, some students in a group will be affect and this may hinder their chances of participating and finally terminates their work since nothing good comes easy without money.
Difficulty Experiences: This is the experience we encounter from our group. Since every body has his/her own personal character couple with individual schedule for daily activity, thing can never be done at the same time. Therefore, the time schedule for a particular group to carryout their project research varies.
Insincerity of responding to questionnaire items: this is the inability of the supervisor did not explain properly the most essential things needed and how he wants the project to be done. The project writer may find it difficult to cope.

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Comparism Of Academic Performance Of Junior Secondary School Students In English Language Computer Science And Integrated Science In External Examinations:

Comparing the academic performance of junior secondary school students in English Language, Computer Science, and Integrated Science in external examinations can provide valuable insights into their educational achievements. However, it’s important to note that specific data may vary by region, country, and even school district. Here’s a general overview of factors that can influence such a comparison:

  1. Curriculum and Syllabus:
    • The curriculum and syllabus for each subject may vary from one region or educational system to another. Differences in content and emphasis can affect student performance.
  2. Teacher Quality:
    • The quality of teachers in each subject area can significantly impact student performance. Well-trained and experienced teachers may produce better results.
  3. Teaching Resources:
    • Availability of teaching resources, such as textbooks, computer labs, and science equipment, can influence how well students perform in these subjects.
  4. Student Interest and Motivation:
    • Student interest in a subject can play a crucial role in their performance. Some students may be more motivated to excel in certain subjects.
  5. Access to Technology:
    • For Computer Science, access to computers and the internet is essential. Disparities in technology access can affect performance.
  6. Examination Format:
    • The format of external examinations, including the types of questions and assessment criteria, can vary between subjects and regions.
  7. Socioeconomic Factors:
    • Socioeconomic factors can impact student performance. Students from more affluent backgrounds may have access to additional resources and support.
  8. Study Habits and Time Allocation:
    • Students’ study habits and how they allocate their time for different subjects can affect their performance.
  9. School Environment:
    • The overall school environment, including the school’s infrastructure, culture, and support systems, can influence student performance.
  10. Parental Involvement:
    • The level of parental involvement and support in a student’s education can be a significant factor.
  11. Peer Influence:
    • Peer pressure and influence can affect how students prioritize and perform in different subjects.
  12. Educational Policies:
    • Government policies related to education, such as standardized testing and curriculum changes, can impact student performance.

To conduct a meaningful comparison of academic performance, one would need access to specific data on student scores, demographics, and other relevant factors. Statistical analysis and research methodologies would also be necessary to draw valid conclusions.

It’s important to remember that student performance can be influenced by a complex interplay of these factors, and making generalized conclusions without a detailed analysis may not provide an accurate picture of the situation. Researchers and educators often study these factors to identify areas for improvement in the education system and to tailor interventions that can enhance student learning outcomes.