UTILIZATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCES INFLUENCE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

UTILIZATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCES INFLUENCE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Education is universally recognized as a form of investment in human capital for economic benefit of the countries. According to Adeyemi and Adu (2010), it is widely accepted that education is one of the leading instruments for promoting economic development as it encompasses individuals to go through, to help them develop and utilize their potentials.

Also, Okeke (2007) points out that through education individuals acquire knowledge, skills and attitude that are necessary for effectives living. This is the reason all modern nations see investment in education of youth as most vital.

According to Onsomu E. N., Muthaka D. I. and Manda D.K (2006), secondary education is an important sub-sector of education in the preparation of human capital for development and provision of life opportunities as it provides a vital link between basic education and the world of work on one hand, and further training on the other.

Furthermore, the manifestations of quality education have to do with literary cognitive abilities performance and progression to higher levels of learning.

On the other hand, quality education cannot be achieved without educational resources as they play very important role in the achievement of educational goals and objectives. School resources are those things that enable the teacher to do his/her work very well and helping the learners to learn effectively. They are those facilities that are needed for effective teaching – learning process to take place.

Ibitoye (2007) defined school resources as those types of materials, human and financial variables that are put in place that enhance effective teaching and learning process in the school. It include buildings, classroom facilities equipments like laboratories, libraries, furniture, instructional materials,

 audiovisual aids, toilet, ICTs and other, necessary for effective and efficient operation in the school.

According to Adeogun and Ofisila (2008), educational resources can be categorized into four groups namely, human, materials, physical and financial resources. Maicibi (2003) opined that all institutions or organizations are made up of human and non-human resources. Human resources refer to teachers and support staff and non-human resources include laboratories, libraries and classrooms. He further asserts that when the right quantity and quality of human resources is brought together, it can manipulate other resources towards realizing institutional goals and objectives.

Also, Oyedeji (2013) also described human resources as the needed people, personnel that are needed within the organizational institution that will drive the vehicles of educational system to desired destination.

Consequently, Buckley, Schneider and Shang (2004), maintain that school resources enable the teacher to accomplish his/her task as well, and help the learner to learn and achieve effectively.

They emphasized that the availability and proper use of school facilities (resources) can affect the interest of the teacher to teach effectively, in turn, that it will positively affects student’s academic achievement. Hence, school resources play a significant role in improving the quality of education.

Moreover, Usman (2007), opined that educational resources are central to the educational process because they play an important role in the achievement of educational goals and objectives since they facilitate teacher’s work and accelerate learning on the part of the students.

According to Njoroge (2000), unavailability of educational resources hinders effective utilization. Availability of necessary physical facilities enhances quality of teaching and learning and the academic performance of learners in all subjects. Therefore, proper utilization of available school resources brings about fruitful academic performance of student in all subjects.

However, Cohen, Raudenbush, and Ball (2003) stated that it is not making resources available to school that matters, but getting those resources utilized by teachers and learners (students) to get academic content learned. School resources if properly utilized enhance academic performance of students in schools; as such its role and importance cannot be over emphasized. Based on this reason, this study is set to investigate the extent to which utilization of school resources influence academic performance of students in Economics in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

UTILIZATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCES INFLUENCE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The Nigeria’s educational system is dominated by examination oriented where by passing examination is the only

benchmark for assessing  performance as there is no internal system of monitoring learning achievement within an educational cycle.

However, the phenomenon of poor performance of students in Economics in both internal and external examinations in Nigeria has become a source of worry to successive government. This could be attributed to a number of factors to include the under – utilization of school resources in the school.

Moreover, findings by researchers and leading educators showed that for better performance in Economics several factors should be considered such as qualification of teaching staff, availability of instructional resources, discipline, the students’ family background, students’ attitude towards the subject and preparedness as well as subject delivery. Hence, this study is set to examine the extent to which utilization of school resources influence academic performance of students in Economics in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

 1.3 Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to examine the extent to which utilization of school resources influence academic performance of students in Economics in secondary schools in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

        Specifically, the objective of the study include:-

1. To assess personnel availability, it utilization and academic performance of student in Economics.
2. To examine instructional materials utilization and academic performance of students in Economics.
3. To find out effective utilization of school library and academic performance in Economics.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The result of the study may be useful to various individuals and institutions. The findings would provide

information to policy makers and relevant stakeholders on the need to avail resources for the improvement of performance in Economics.

The teachers also would most likely be motivated to use instructional materials to teach Economics. It is also hoped that the study will consequently increase literature on school resources utilization (SRU) as well as forming a basis for further research involved in utilization of resources in schools.

1.5 Research Question

To guide the research study, the following research questions were formulated:-

1. In what way does the utilization of classroom influence academic performance of students in Economics?
2. To what extent does the utilization of instructional materials influence academic performance of students in Economics?
3. How does effective utilization of school library influence academic performance of students in Economics?

1.6 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:-

1. There is no significant difference between utilization of classroom and academics performance of students in Economics.
2. There is no significant difference between utilization of instructional materials and academic performance of students in Economics.
3. There is no significant difference between effective utilization of school library and academic performance of students in Economics.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

The limitations of the study were as follows:-

1. Lack of research materials like magazines, journals, textbooks, etc.
2. Lack of fund, for movement by the researcher, purchase of research materials to be used as well as meals.
3. Time constraint due to the work load ad it require combining the research work with the normal academic work.

1.8 Delimitation of the Study

 The study was delimited to secondary schools in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

• Definition of Terms

• Academic Performance: This refers to the student’s level of attainment in the school work, assignment, and test examination.
• Human Resources: This refers to personnel or a workforce of institutions that implement a school program so as to meet set goals.
• Influence: This refers to the power to affect or have an effect on something.
• Non- Human Resources: This refers to buildings furniture’s, equipment, and plants that school use to meet goals.
• Resources Utilization: This refers to how resources are used to get good results.
• School Resources: This refers to facilities that are needed for effective teaching –learning process to take place in school.