INFLUENCE OF HOME BACKGROUND ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study
Social studies as discipline is gradually gaining ground in Nigerian institution of higher of higher learning.

It is a core subjects which now made compulsory at the primary and junior secondary schools levels.
It is on record that having realizing to enhance functional and productive teachers in the subject areas who could improve the status of Nigerian secondary school students in the subject.
There have been several studies done with in and out side Nigerian on the effects of home environments as well as the socio economic status of parents on the academic achievements of students (Ajila and Olutola, 2007; Uwaifo, 2012).

Research has found does in school and the amount of confidence the students have for themselves.

However, in Nigerian, like other growing economic nation, families are finding it more difficult to stay in contact with their children’s major cities such as Lagos where both parents work outside the state.

Carmen (2007) noted that the extended family has become significantly less extended as mobility has increased parents are becoming isolated from their children and finding it difficult to keep a careful watch on what needs to be done to help them succeed in school.

Many families are not even led a parent, but by a grandparent, guardian, or some other adult. Education is the best legacy a nation can give to her citizens especially the youth.

This is because the development of any nation or community depends youth. This is because the development of any nation or community depends largely on the quality of education of such a nation.

It is generally believed that the basis for any the developments must commence with the development of human resource.

Much their said formal education remains the vehicle for social economic development and social mobilization in any interested prolong military rule and aborted civilian administrations, which necessitude the promulgation of degrees edicts and levels.

The inconsistence continuation of government, due to coup defeated emphasized the continuity in the implementation of educational laws and policies since 1970s till the presents time fallen standard in education of the primary and secondary school levels (Shitu, 2004).
Frequently changes of ministers and commissioners of education by successive government coupled with the politicization of education by political parties that emerged in the country’s political leaders in 1979 have also brought about disparity in educational practices, which caused differential academic performances and classroom functioning of both teacher and students from state to state.
With the changes in family life and indeed in societal make up, schools are now finding it increasingly difficult to keep parents informed of and actively engaged in the day to day progress of their children (Deslandes and Bertrand, 2007).

Teachers and administrators are discovering that the support they once received in getting students to do their home work is not there, because the parents are not home to assist the students to complete their assignments.
Statement of the Problem
The national policy on education (2004) laid much emphasis on qualitative education for the development of a strong nation. For this policy to succeed there are a lot of factors to be considered one of such factor includes family background: Research work on the influence of family background on academic performance of pupils had been conducted mainly in developed countries. While, (2001).

There is the need to investigate the relationship between family background and academic performance of pupils in the Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State to find out how they correlate with other research finding.
Observations and report from examinations bodies like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB revealed that a high percentage of secondary school students continue to performance poorly in examination.

This poor performance is likely to be caused by some factors such as lack of parental care, poverty and lack of interest in education hence.

This study was conducted to investigate the extent to which these variables determine the social studies achievement of secondary school students in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara state.
Purpose of the Study
This research work is aimed at the following;
1. to find the influence of socio economic status of students on their academic performance.
2. to determine the extent to which parental occupation influence the academic performance of students in social studies.
3. to determine the influence of parents’ educational background on students academic performance in social studies.
General Questions
1. What are the influence of parental background on the students academic performance.
2. What are the influence of parental educational status on students level of understanding in secondary schools.
Research Questions
In order to achieve the desired objectives the following research questions were raised to guide the study.
1. Is there any influence on socio economic status of parents on student’s academic performances?
2. To what extent does parental occupation influence the academic performance of students?
3. Is there any influence of parental, educational background on student’s academic performance?
Research Hypotheses
HO1: There is no significant relationship between parent socio economic status and students academic performance.
HO2: There is no significant relationship between parent occupational status and students academic performance.
HO3: There is no significant relationship between parent educational status and students academic performance.
Significant of the Study
The usefulness of this research work in the educational system can not be over emphases.

The result of the study will provide an individual or group with the opportunity to be exposed to the relationship that exist between the student academic performance and his socio economic status hence the link can be reached.
The study will also enhance or provide the understanding of the individual why there are differences in academic performance of the individual in school particularly in the course social studies.
Likewise, it will serve as a means through which the parent will be aware, their vital role in academic performance of their children and how to limit the gap between academic performance of their children and the socio economic status of themselves.
The study will also provide the opportunity for school administration, teacher as well as individual parents to adequately planned and prepared on issues relating to the influence of home background on students academic progress in schools.
Finally, the findings of the research work will serve as useful tools for teachers and fellow researchers who wish to conduct similar or related research work.