Perceived Measures for Improving Students’ Performance in English Literature in Secondary Schools in Anambra State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain why student perform badly in literature in English in secondary school
- To ascertain way to improve performance of students in literature English in secondary school
- To find out whether teacher ability to teach literature English contribute in student bad performance
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
introduction
The close relationship between English and Literature is explored through the work of Ball, Kenny and Gardiner whose model of the constructions of English (1990) was adapted by O’Neill (1995) and used as the basis for the conceptual framework in this research. O’Neill’s quadrant model was used to analyse the aims of the MOE Literature syllabuses for secondary schools. The key elements of the model are the four orientations of Functional English, English as the Great Tradition, Progressive English and Radical English; and the roles of the participants within each of the various orientations. The aims and objectives of the Literature syllabus can be placed within the various orientations. The current state of Literature as a subject as discussed by Chambers and Gregory (2006), identified factors, such as the “retail model of higher education”, that could threaten its future in the school curriculum and beyond. Miller (1998) focussed on the issue of globalisation and its effects on literary studies. He concluded that massive economic, political and technological changes brought about by rapid globalisation would change the nature and essence of literature, such as the rise of new forms of non-print media altering the transmission of literary language and narrative techniques. The role of Literature in the curriculum in terms of its functionality and relevance is discussed by McGregor (1992), recognising the role of literature in shaping values. Similarly, Chambers and Gregory (2006) investigate how students can feel connected with works of literature. Specifically, Singh (1999) and Yeo (1999) explore the Literature curriculum in Singapore while Holden proposes a post-colonial curricular reform which includes changes to the manner and rationale of study and the types of literary texts for study (1999). The teaching and learning of Literature in post-colonial countries such as Australia and Canada provided a background for comparisons, while Malaysia is chosen as a post-colonial SouthEast Asian nation that made different decisions about English Language and Literature. In addition, current research papers (Choo, 2004; Poon, 2007, 2009) on issues pertaining to Literature studies in Singapore have found that Literature education in Singapore is in a state of ambivalence and that the future of the subject is uncertain with the introduction of Social Studies as a compulsory humanities subject, with schools choosing History or Geography electives instead of Literature.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to Perceived measures for improving students performance in English literature in sec schools in Anambra state.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information for the study Perceived measures for improving students’ performance in English literature in sec schools in Anambra state. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Awka south local government of Anambra state randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to examine Perceived measures for improving students’ performance in English literature in secondary schools in Anambra state. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Perceived measures for improving students performance in English literature in secondary schools
Summary
This study was on Perceived measures for improving students’ performance in English literature in secondary schools in Anambra state. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain why student perform badly in literature in English in secondary school, to ascertain way to improve performance of students in literature English in secondary school and to find out whether teacher ability to teach literature English contribute in student bad performance. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Awka south, Anambra state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up principals, vice principals adm, senior staffs and junior staffs were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
It is clear from the study that students‟ academic achievement is a function of several school related factors. Therefore poor academic achievement in Awka south, Anambra state is accounted for by inadequacy of these factors. These factors include unavailability of textbooks, type of school, maternal education, relevance, time, teachers‟ showing sensitivity to individual differences, students‟ interaction, teaching aids and teachers. Policy should aim at intervening at the level of reversing the unavailability of school inputs in schools in Anambra state. These include providing adequate number of teachers, improved textbook supply and ensuring that these resources are properly utilized. At present the spiral of low achievement is likely to get worse rather than improve owing to policies that do not harmonize the supply of such resources. These will seriously compromise the primary goal of providing education in Anambra state which is to utilize education for national development
Recommendation
Teachers should be given opportunities to further their education and be motivated upon graduation through promotion and higher salaries. Government should review some unfavourable rules on teachers who are given study leave. That such teachers only qualify for a study leave without pay and are bonded to work with school for a period equivalent to the one granted for study leave before they can quit teaching.
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