BIRTH ORDER AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABAK LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study

No matter how strong the disrupting influence of men may be, it is likely that the bond of home will be last to be broken. As such, home cohesion is bound to present serious influence on educational achievements of students.

It is an incontrovertible fact that learners in schools like every mortal come from a home. The home provides what a learner takes with him to school. Hence, the significant of home background in the academic and behaviour pattern of students in school cannot be overemphasized. Apart from serving as a breeding ground for human continuity, it is the institution that sets the socialization process on course. It was in acknowledgement of the unique position of the family that Okoroma (2004) asserted that the family is the foundation of the values, which the child internalizes from the very tender age.

However, students’ performance in school is a function of the interaction between his ability and the home motivation (Shabanga 2001). Ability includes skills development, knowledge as well as attitude. Motivation on the other hand is the various ways that parents use to encourage their children to develop interest in learning. It is therefore the obligation of the parents to continue to support educational effect of the child by providing the stimulating and attraction environment where the child can work and learn at ease.

Malu (2006) emphasizes that the home background of a learner has a significant influence on his educational achievement in school. He maintained that the home is the most important primary group and the smallest social unit in the society. It has its roots in biological and social nature. As such it is universal in the sense that no human society could possibly exist or as ever existed without some forms of home organization. This is because parents, siblings and family members help to shape the character, behavioural pattern and personality of the young child.

In privileged situation, the home is able to provide more than the minimum required for a good learning situation. According to Jacob (2006), the standard of living is high and the material comfort provided may be luxurious in the privileged homes. Children have all the necessary opportunity for education in the home, although it is not impossible that the child fails to make full use of these facilities if the parents concentrates too much on its wealth and social position. He opines that children from such family may think that they are a race separate from others and for this reason, fail to benefit fully from social interaction with other children at school.