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CAUSES AND EFFECT OF CHILDREN LATENESS TO SCHOOL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Punctuality is the key to any goal-driven organization such as the school. Unpunctuality of students in school has generated lots of concern among stakeholders in the Nigerian society. The school, which is basically established to make individuals learn irrespective of gender, ethnic group or religion, requires these individuals to arrive at school as at when due. This implies that no meaningful activity can take place in school with the occurrence of students' lateness.

Lateness generally refers to a situation in which a person arrives a place at a time later than the stipulated time. It is the inability of an individual to be at a place at an agreed time. According to Lauby(2009), lateness in the school context is when a student gets to school at the time that exceeds the official time. Literarily, lateness to school refers to a situation whereby a student gets to school when the appropriate time for such as elapsed.

According to Breeze and Markey (2010), lateness can be likened to tardiness, that is, not quick in carrying out a task hence, not able to meet up with the scheduled time.It is also expressed as being late for any observable period that exceeds the stated time.

Lateness to school is like a cancer that impedes the development and hinders the achievement of academic goals (Maile & Olowoyo, 2017). It has been observed that students' lateness is on the increase of indiscipline and this has eaten deep into Nigerian society (Odebode, 2019).

Students no longer take punctuality in school as they should. The official arrival time for students at school in Nigeria is 7.30 a.m. Unfortunately, many students can still be seen walking around the streets by 9-9.30; they walk around communities unconcerned. The schools are doing all they could to curb this act but it seems the effort has no noticeable effect, thus, making lateness to school on the increase.

This in turn culminates in the turning out of half-baked graduates at all educational institutions in the society. The causes of lateness among students seem to be unclear with many submissions being made by stakeholders.

There are many factors that could make a student get late or develop the habit of getting late to school. This could range from sleeping late, poor preparation for school, school factor, illness, economic influence and family background among others, films at night (Marwan, 2014;watching films at night, engaging in too many house chores, lack of motivation for school, lack of stringent rules in school against lateness etc. (Dafiaghor, 2011).

Alio (2003) states that social status of parents could influence students' lateness to school. Similarly, Alio noted that school location, students' attitude towards, poor parent-teacher supervision and poor teaching methods culminate in students arriving at school late.

Studies on students' lateness have been conducted. The report of a study conducted by Okpukpara and Chukwuone (2007) showed that female headed families breed children who had punctuality challenges while children from father-headed families were more punctual in school. Emore (2005) affirmed that females got late to more male; this could be that they females were nurtured to involve in house chores and this takes lots of time to complete. Shapira-Lishchinsky (2007) also expressed that personality traits such feeling anxious, inferiority complex and low self-esteem could lead to lateness to school. Oghuvbu(2008) accused parents and the school factors as being the root cause of students' lateness. According to Malcilm.

Wilson, Davidson and Kirk (2003) and Ubogun (2004), students' lateness to school could be as a result of expensive school fees and parents' inability to pay, lack of counseling in school, indiscipline, non-captivating curriculum, lack of students' self-esteem. Clark, Peters and Tomilson (2003) submitted that there was positive correlation between lateness and individuals' attitude.

Lateness to school has a positive relationship with students' low academic performance. This means that the more students get late to school, the more they measure their OW academic performance. This could be due to the fact that

 (1) students' inability to attend classes because they could not get to school as at when due, hence, they could not partake in all the school tasks and activities for instance, partaking in the assembly activities Nakpodia & Dafiaghor,2011);

(2) Many late students serve punishments like washing toilets, corporal punishment, cutting grass which makes them miss school activities the most.

Lateness is linked to time which is its measuring yardstick. It is pertinent to research into the factors responsible for students' lateness to school as this study of this nature will be of immense significance to the Nigerian Government, school administrators, teachers, school counselors, students, parents and the entire populace. For instance, through the findings of this study, school counselors will be able to guide students against arriving late to school.

Similarly, the findings of this study will be of immense benefit to parents as they will be able to monitor their wards and ensure they do not go to school late. The entire populace will also benefit from the findings of this study as students who do not arrive late to school are likely to be good instruments for national development in the near future.

Lateness to school started long ago, everywhere in a way that cannot be controlled in recent times. The problem of lateness has eaten deep into Nigeria children. The problem of pupils' lateness to school has now turned into a national problem. Lateness merely means arriving after expected time.

Children commonly miss their school or coming lately because of their usual habits, such as waking up late due to laziness: rushing of undone assignment, unprepared bath, breakfast or meals, clothes, their pack lunch etc. and waiting for companions or friends coming to school the bus is late; and sometimes because of some problems in their parent that affects them and interest in coming to school seeing their with misunderstandings. Financial support is another too. Kids like having many delightful possessions. They would be seeing their classmates with something they don’t have or sometimes they are ashamed of coming to school.

Oxford advanced learners dictionary defined lateness as arriving after the expected arrange or usual time. It is after the right, fixed, usual or expected time; therefore lateness is the opposite of early. The question now is what are the factors responsible for pupil’s lateness to school.

Authorities have wondered why scholars come late to school. But they have not been able to do deep research into this problem in a bid of providing solutions and recommendations, which would help to cure the problem. This study will focus attention on the factors responsible for the pupil’s lateness and an attempt to find a solution to this problem.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Lateness among school pupils is increasing and spreading. Everywhere is a way that cannot be controlled in our societies. A close look at the factors that are responsible for it, it’s the purpose of the study. The importance of this can never be over liked in the process of learning experience had shown that children who are habitual late comer never do well in their academics, this is true because before their arrival it is very likely for them missing some steps in the teaching/learning process. This will affect their learning adversely. In Spite of the efforts made by the teachers and the school authorities to solve this problem. The children were still found indulging in late coming in an attempt to know the factors responsible the teachers attributed it to the parents while the parents hold the teacher to ransom. To some others, the children themselves and the peers group influence are responsible.

With the result of this study, it is believed that solutions to this problem will be provided as the factors responsible for the lateness are identified and recommendations are made. The children will be better guided and ways of overcoming their problems and like up to expectation as good children are known. In addition, this study will also help the nation as the children will now develop the spirit of punctuality at school and become good citizens in their future life.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to determine the causes and effect of children lateness to school

Specific objectives include;

1. To investigate the underlying causes of children's lateness to school.

2. To examine the immediate effects of children's lateness on their academic performance.

3. To explore the long-term consequences of habitual lateness to school on children's overall development.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the primary factors contributing to children's tardiness in arriving at school?

2. How does habitual lateness impact children's ability to engage effectively in classroom activities?

3. What correlations exist between chronic lateness to school and academic achievement over time?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

1. H1: Children's lateness to school is significantly influenced by familial socio-economic status.

2. H2: There is a negative correlation between children's habitual lateness to school and their academic performance.

3. H3: The cumulative effect of chronic lateness to school leads to behavioral and social challenges among children, affecting their overall development negatively.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

On successful completion of this study pupils and parents will be exposed to the various factors that are responsible for pupils' lateness to school and to the rightful measure necessary to eradicate this bad habit. This study will help to motivate parents to make the children come early to school and this will in turn improve the academic performance of the individual. Also it will enable the pupils to be disciplined both at school and in future life.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will analyze the effects of tardiness on academic performance, social integration, and overall well-being of the children. By focusing on Suleja, Niger State, the research aims to provide insights tailored to the local community's needs and challenges, informing targeted interventions and policy recommendations to mitigate children's lateness to school effectively.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Limitations of the study on the causes and effects of children's lateness to school in Suleja, Niger State, may include:

1. Generalizability: Findings may not be applicable to other regions due to unique socio-cultural and geographical factors in Suleja.

2. Sample size and representativeness: Limited sample size or non-random sampling methods may affect the generalizability of results.

3. Data reliability: Reliance on self-reported data from parents, teachers, or students may introduce bias or inaccuracies.

4. External factors: Unforeseen events like weather conditions, traffic congestion, or local events could influence lateness, challenging the study's conclusions.

5. Lack of longitudinal data: The study's cross-sectional nature may limit understanding of long-term trends and underlying causes of lateness.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Lateness to School:  Refers to the act of arriving at school after the designated start time.

2. Parental Involvement: The extent to which parents are actively engaged in their child's education and school-related activities.

3. School Environment: The physical, social, and cultural context of the school, including its facilities, policies, and overall atmosphere.

4. Household Dynamics: The interactions, relationships, and structure within a family, which may impact children's punctuality.

5. Transportation Accessibility: The ease of access to transportation options available for children to commute to school, which can influence punctuality.

6. Disciplinary Measures: Policies and actions implemented by the school to address instances of tardiness and enforce punctuality.

7. Parental Attitudes Towards Education: The beliefs, values, and perceptions that parents hold regarding the importance of education and its relation to punctuality.

8. School Policies on Tardiness: Rules and regulations established by the school regarding expectations for students' punctuality and consequences for tardiness.

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