IMPACTS OF TRUANCY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ISI-UZO L.G.A, ENUGU STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Truancy has been defined in different ways by different authors and scholars based on their perception of the concept. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English 7th edition, truancy is defined as the practice of staying away from school without permission. A truant is the student who stays away from school without permission.
Truancy is the habit of staying away from the school without good reason Offorkansi (2008). To play truancy according to her is a bad habit as it has led many students to what they never expected in life. The worst part of it is that they are within the adolescent age bracket which is so dangerous that anything happen to them may promote or mar their future Ezeh (2005).
According to the International Dictionary of Education (2002), truancy is defined as a deliberate absence from school without the parental knowledge. In the same way, The New Western Comprehensive Dictionary of Special Price in Education (2004) defined truancy as when a student stays away from school without permission; anyone who absents himself from work or duty without good reasons or the knowledge of the authorities is a truant. The above definitions imply that truancy occurs when a student absents himself from the school without due permission either from the parents or from the related authorities.
Similarly, Adeyemo (1999) opined that truancy is a delinquent act which occurs when a child often stays away from the school without good reasons. Carter (2000), in his own view considers truancy as a deliberate absence from school on the parts of the pupils without the knowledge and the consent of the parents; absence of the pupil from the school for which no reasonable or acceptable excuse is given
More so, Stoll (2002), in his own perspective saw truancy as absence from school for no legitimate reasons. He further stated that many students do skip either single class or even a full day school at least once during their academic career. This is because they may want to attend a special event, birthday parties, marriage ceremonies, football match to mention but a few which at the long run ruin their lives.
Peninsky (2000), wrote that when a child is a truant, it implies that he has been constantly absent from school for so many days, weeks or even months. Truancy he further explained as a deliberate absence from school for no justifiable cause or reason without the parental knowledge
Collin’s English Dictionary defined truancy as one’s absences from duty without being on leave especially children who absent themselves from school regularly.
In the same vein, Nwana (2004), explained truancy to include intentionally absenting of oneself from school without permission or leaving the school without authorization and dodging of specific lesson periods.
Truancy in academic secondary school is a situation in which students drop and show adverse attitude and behaviour to learning. They absent themselves from classes using unnecessary excuses such as an ingenuous sickness, take suspension by the class teacher or school authority and involvement in sport activities. Truancy can equally occur in a boring and boredom classes, harsh teachers who are difficult to approach and in an unconducive school environment Osarenren (1999).
The causes of truancy among secondary school students have been attributed to lack of writing materials such as pen, exercise books, recommended textbooks, school uniform and midday meal Obe (1998). The government is also one of the causes of students’ truancy due to the fact that government does not pay teachers enough and regularly and most of their allowances such as leave allowance, sport and science allowances etc are being withheld, most teachers find it difficult to be committed and dedicated to their primary duty of teaching and caring for the students while in the school. When this occurs, and the students do not find their teachers in the class to teach them; the next plan of action is truancy. It is obvious now to see students roam about the streets, villages and markets during school hours doing nothing reasonable. Also, with the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which led to the emergence of internet system, though, very beneficial to the study especially in the areas of research works as it provides them with a medium of interaction to different works of the erudite scholars and authorities. But in other hand, it has equally contributed much to the promotion of truancy among secondary school students. This is to the fact that many students do abandon their lessons to visit internet cyber cafe thereby spending much of their time, energy and resources (money) to visit pornographic sites and some sex related sites which will in turn ruin their lives. This has led to increasing the high rate of immoral behaviour among youths in our society shyam (2006).
Truancy is defined as” the absence of a child from school without permission. It is also seen as the neglect to work or duty American Heritage Dictionary of English Language, 5th Edition. From the definitions and explanations given above by different authors, scholars and dictionaries, truancy generally is a delinquent behaviour which is exhibited by the students not knowing its implication. It is an undue, unreasonable and unacceptable absent from school by the students. It also involves dodging of some class or lesson period while inside the school. This means that truancy does not only mean absent from going to school completely but also involved dodging some school subjects during the school hours. This contributes immensely to their downfall or school drop-out thereby ruining their lives. In fact, truancy is a bad habit that needs to be reduced if not total eradication in our secondary school system.
Furthermore, Manroe (1998), also observed that “the pupil who play truancy is generally difficult, anxious and highly sensitive person who need to escape from reality’’ He also has a low status in the class and encounters difficulties in dealing with other people around. He wanders away from those difficulties and in at least half cases and drifts into delinquency.
Marklund (2002), opined that the typical persistent, a truant is unhappy at home, unpopular at school and unsuccessful in his class works; he is rarely an articulate critic of contemporary society and its values, he is usually a child failing to cope satisfactorily with his difficulties and in need of help.
Finally, in researchers’ own understanding, truancy is the act where pupils or students absent themselves from school. A worker can also play truancy when he dodges his works or responsibilities.
Statement of the Problem
Nigeria educational enterprise is embodied with many problems such as cultism, examination malpractice, drug abuse, sexual abuse, educated-illiterate, indiscipline, unemployable graduates, and truancy among others. These problems have posed a lot of complaints by the people who know the values of education. These have resulted to the downfall of education in Nigeria. Education supposes to bring about economic, political, social and cultural development of a country but has not done that, it is due to these problems listed above and more that this research topic was chosen to critically investigate on the impacts of truancy on the academic performances of the secondary school students in Isi-uzo L.G.A of Enugu State.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to investigate on the impacts of truancy on the academic performances of secondary school students in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State.
Specifically, the study will focus on: (1.) The causes of truancy among secondary school students. (2.) The impacts of truancy on the academic performances of the secondary school students in Isi- Uzo LGA. (3.) The possible solutions to curb truancy among secondary school students.
Research Questions
In carrying out this research, the following research questions were formulated by the researchers to guide the study.
(1.) What are causes of truancy among secondary school students in Isi- uzo L.G.A?
(2.) What are the impacts of truancy on the academic performances of students (truants) and the society at large?
(3.) What are the possible solutions to reduce truancy among secondary school students?
Significance of the Study
The significance of this research work cannot be over-emphasized as it will be of high benefits to the following categories of people: students, teachers, researchers, parents, educational administrators, curriculum planners and the society at large.
The students: The result of this research will help to reveal to the students the implications of truancy to their academic pursuits. They will also be acquainted with different forms which truancy takes and how to make necessary adjustments to avoid them.
The teachers: The result of this work will help the teachers to know what really causes truancy so as to help students (truants) to reduce truancy. The result of the study will also help the teachers to adjust properly in those areas where they contribute to truancy acts.
The educational administrators: The result of this research will help the educational administrators to formulate and implement appropriate policies to reduce truancy.
The society: The result of this research work will help the society at large when the measures suggested to curb truancy are adequately and properly adopted and utilized. It will also help our children, the leaders of tomorrow to be responsible in future and when this is done; our society will be a better place for living.
Scope of the Study
This research covered five (5) secondary schools in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State and the impacts of truancy on academic performance of secondary school students. The content scope was chosen because of time constraints and resources (finance)
Definition of the Basic Concepts
Truancy: This is the act of staying away from school or duty without permission or authorization of the institution.
Truant: A person who stays away from school without a justifiable reason or permission.
Absence: The state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or companionship. It is the failure to be present where one is expected, wanted or needed. It can also mean physical inattentiveness of mind.
Permission: The act of allowing somebody to do something, especially when this is done by somebody in the position of authority. An official written statement allowing somebody to do something.
Delinquent Act: The bad, unpleasant criminal behaviour or action that is usually done by children. It is also called juvenile or babyish delinquency.
Deliberate: To do something purposefully, intentionally or planned rather than by accident or sudden.
Ingenuous: Something that is not from the original stock, authentic, real, reasonable, natural, true or pure.
Roam: To wander, err, stray or travel freely and without a specific destination and purpose. It is always done when one looses focus.
I.C.T: Information and Communication Technology. This is the modern demand to be a computer literate and the use of technology to its fullness through networking.
Pornographic: A picture in book or show in video etc with intention to make people feel sexually excited by naked people or sexual acts usually in a way that many other people find it offensive.eg pornographic movies or magazines.
Eradication: The state of being pluck by the roots, rooting out, removal entirely or completely without reservation.
Contemporary: This means modern, new or present time or age. It could be referred to as nowadays.
Kindergarten: An educational institution for young children, usually between 4 and 6; it is also regarded as nursery school or pre-school.
Educated-Illiterate: It is a kind of an oxymoronic statement suggesting one who assumed to be educated but illiterate. Have gone to school but have nothing to show or even defend the certificate.
Wards: This is another word for children or offspring.
Habitual: This is the act of doing a particular thing regularly and often. And the act is already parts and parcel of the individual which is very hard to stop.
Occasional: For something to appear or occur irregularly from time to time it is not very often, usual or habitual.
Causal: Something to happen by chance. To do something by chance.
Broken-home: A family in which the parents are divorced and separated as a result of conflict and incompatibility.
Corporal Punishment: A physical punishment or penalty given to people especially by hitting, beating, hammering or thrashing them excessively.
Hostility: This is the indication of being very unfriendly or aggressive and ready to fight. It can also imply being too harsh and opposing to somebody or something. It could be seen as ill-well and malevolence and enmity.
Perception: This is the idea, belief or image one has as a result of how he sees or understands the concept. It is regarded as one’s point of view or observation.
Thwarting: this is the process of preventing somebody from doing what they want to do or perform. It could also mean to prevent, to halt, to frustrate or change one’s plan.
Hysterical: To be in the state of extreme excitement, and laughing in an uncontrollable manner i.e. being happy, funny and excited.
Abusive words: the use of words to insult, curse, castigate, provoke or rebuke one wrongly.
Distress: This is what makes one uncomfortable and restless due to pains and boring situations.
Psychological Disposition: This means one’s mind condition and emotional feeling at a particular time. One’s psychological disposition may be good or bad as it relates to time and circumstances.
Adolescent: A young person who is developing from a child to adult. A teenager, a juvenile after puberty.
Petty Crime: Petty crimes are those small bad or unacceptable behaviours of children. It could be regarded as a delinquent act done by the adolescents or juveniles.
Self-Assertion: It is used to show the ability of one to express his opinion freely without bias or prejudice. To make a positive declaration at once without reservation.
Writing Materials: These are the materials or tools that help the pupils or students to write down note or its equivalent in the school e.g. pen, pencil, calculator, exercise book, eraser, mathematical set, drawing book, graph etc.
Socialization: This is the process whereby someone especially a child learns how to behave in a way that is acceptable in the society.
Wandering: this is the process of roaming about without specific direction and intention or focus.
Prestige: This is the respect, admiration and honour that somebody or something has because of the social position or what he has done.
Drug Addiction: This is the formed habit of illegal in-take of substance that contains alcohol like smoking, injecting of substance, drinking etc for its physical and mental effect which one can hardly abate
Sex Scandal: It is an indiscriminate, shocking and unacceptable ways of exhibiting sex.
Prostitution: This is the working of a prostitute. A female gender to be having sex purposeful for money as a source of income. It can be regarded as sex workers, sex scandal, sex abuse etc.
STD/STI: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Infections. A disease or infection to be contacted during sexual intercourse between opposite sex.
HIV/AIDS: Human Immune Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. A killer disease that has no cure but the carrier can be taking antiretroviral drug to enable him spend some period of time before death.
Vicious Cycle: This is a rotational and cyclical movement of an event where one leads to another continually.
School Management Board Committee (SMB C): This is the association of the parents whose children are in the school with their teachers (management). It was formed to have parent-teacher interaction on the progress of the school cum the students. It is observable in pre-primary, primary and secondary school level of education.
Communicative Approach: this is the process of passing information between one person to another for easy contact and awareness.
Academic Facilities: These are the materials that help students learn easily in the school e.g. building, library, laboratory, toilet post, urinal post, pen, pencil, exercise book, textbook etc
Probation Officer: An officer who is in charge of the probationers. Probationers are the people who have committed crime and are allowed not to go to the prison for a fixed period of time.
Juvenile Court: This is a court of law specially designed to handle the cases of the juveniles (young people who are not yet adult).
CHAPTER TWO
Review of Related Literature
This chapter reviewed the related literature on the causes and effects of truancy among secondary school students in Isi-Uzo L.G.A, Enugu State. The review specifically focused on the following sub-headings:
Concept of Truancy,
Types of Truancy,
The Causes of Truancy,
The Impact of Truancy,
Suggestions for Reduction of truancy,
Summary of Review of Related Literature.
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Truancy
Truancy has been conceptualized by different scholars and authors in different dimensions. The concept under discussion as a problem has drawn many scholars as a matter of concern. To this effect, Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary 7th Edition, defined truancy as the practice of staying away from school without permission. Truancy according to Offorkansi (2008) is the habit of staying away from school without good reasons. She further emphasized that to play truancy is a bad habit as it has led many students to what they never expected in lives.
In the same way, International Dictionary of Education (2002), defined truancy as a deliberate absence from school without parental knowledge
The Western Comprehensive Dictionary of Special Price in Education (2004), saw truancy as when a student stays away from school without permission. It further explained that anyone who absents himself from work or duty without good reasons; the knowledge of parents or authorities plays truancy. Also, Collins English Dictionary defined truancy as one’s absence from duty without being on leave especially children who absent themselves from school with no justifiable cause or reason for it.
Nwana (2004), in his own view stated that truancy includes intentionally absence of oneself from school without permission, leaving the school without authorization and dodging of specific lesson periods. Adeyemo (1999), opined that truancy is a delinquent act which occurs when a child often stays away from the school without good reason(s). Carter (2000), observed that truancy is a deliberate absence from school on the part of the students without the knowledge and consent of the parents, absence of the pupils from school while no reasonable or acceptable excuse is given.
Stoll (2002) opined that truancy is an absence from school for no legitimate reasons. He further stated that many students do skip either single class or even a full day school at least once during their academic career.
Osarenren (1999), observed truancy on academic in secondary schools as situation in which students drop and show adverse attitude and behaviour to learning. He further added that they (students) absent themselves from classes using unnecessary excuses such as ingenuous sickness took or assumed suspension by the class teachers or school authorities.
Peninsky (2000), wrote that when a child is a truant, it implies that he has been constantly absent from the school for so many days, weeks or even months. Truancy, he further stressed to be a deliberate absence from the school for no medial parental knowledge.
Having reviewed the meaning of the concept of truancy from different school of thoughts and authorities, it would also be vital to look at the dimensions which it takes under the types.