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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY  

There is a growing body of literature from researchers and educationists which have made an attempt to examine the relationship between education management and students academic performance (Orodho, 2014; UNESCO, 1999; United Nations, 2013; Waweru & Orodho, 2014). The results reveal rather spurious relationship (Waweru & Orodho, 2014). However, what is clear is that educational management in secondary schools (either private or public) involves the application of management principles in designing, developing and effecting resources towards achievement of educational goals (Okumbe, 2001). This effectiveness according to UNESO (2009) is judged by the extent to which schools generally meet the expectations of the society within which they are established. Since independence, the Nigerian government has demonstrated commitment to the provision of quality secondary school education through allocation of financial resources, provision of trained teachers and establishment of quality assurance department. The government of Nigeria has also put in place a guideline for the establishment of private secondary schools and has continually monitored the activities of secondary school owner with a view to ensure compliance with the set standard and the guidelines.

According to Ohba (2009), shortage of teachers, lack of basic facilities, community interferences, poor teaching methodology and administrative related factors such as poor management of school resources have been noted as some of these factors that are militating against the effectiveness of private schools in Nigeria which has continued to have negative effects on the student’s academic performance. Many private secondary schools in Nigeria lack infrastructural facilities, good teachers and are managed by unqualified proprietors. As a matter of fact, many private secondary schools have turned to “miracle center” where students are helped to write external examinations because the students are not prepared, don’t have the requisite knowledge and confidence to face external examination like the senior secondary examination and the junior secondary examination. Literature related to school based strategies employed by school managers to improve students’ academic performance has revealed mixed and contrasting range of results (Croninger & Lee, 2001; Zepeda, 2004; Fullan, 1991; Lamb, 2007 ; Waweru & orodho, 2014; World Bank, 2008). Croninger and Lee (2001) reported that the degree of teacher caring and interaction with students reported by both parents and teachers has a significant impact on performance. In a review of effective schools in the US, Croninger and Lee (2001) found evidence that schools with a common sense of purpose and strong communal organization involving collegial relationships among staff and positive adult student relationships are efficient in promoting a range of academic and social outcomes reflecting students' engagement and commitment. Port Harcourt local government area has 243 secondary schools, there has been high rates of failure I the external examinations especially some private secondary schools located in the areas that can be described has “slums”. This is a failure because the graduates of this grade do not qualify in most careers for further education and training. It is apparent that various intertwined factors could be responsible for this poor performance in the local government. This background prompted the undertaking of this study on examination of management strategies factor and its influence on students’ academic performance in private secondary schools in Port Harcourt local government area, Port Harcourt, rivers state, Nigeria.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nigeria has put different policies for both private and public secondary schools in place to make education accessible, improve transition, quality, completion and retention rates to all her citizens. Some of these policies included decent infrastructural facilities (good classroom, library, laboratories, toilets etc.), health facilities, sports and recreational facilities. Despite this intervention, the problem of low performance persisted in schools especially in some private secondary schools that are characterized with poor qualities of facilities and teachers leading to high rate of indiscipline and poor academic performance of the students.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following are the objectives of this study:

1. To examine the role of management in the operation of private secondary schools.

2. To identify the influence of management factor on the academic  performance of private secondary school students in Port Harcourt local government

3. To determine the other factors that influences the academic performance of private secondary school student

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of management in the operation of private secondary schools?

2. What is the influence of management factor on the academic performance of private secondary school students in Port Harcourt local government?

3. What are the other factors that influences the academic performance of private secondary school student?  

1.5     HYPOTHESIS

HO: Management factor do not influence private secondary school student’s academic performance in Port Harcourt local government.

HA: Management factor do influence private secondary school student’s academic performance in Port Harcourt local government.

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The following are the significance of this study:

1. The outcome of this study will educate the general public and the government on the quality of management of private schools in Nigeria with a view of identifying the shortfalls and preferring solutions to them.

2.  This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the effect of personality trait on student’s academic performance, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.

1.7     SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will cover the activities of private secondary schools in Port Harcourt local government area with emphasis on the management factor as to how it affects the performance of the students in their examinations.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

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