Impact Of Universal Basic Education In The Academic Performance Of Students In Uyo Local Government Area
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
All over the world, primary education has been regarded as the most important as well as the most patronized by people. This is due to the fact that it is the basis of the whole educational system, which is expected to provide literacy and enlightenment to the citizens. The importance of primary education can therefore be seen in the sense that all beneficiaries of the other levels of education by necessity have to pass through this level (Oni, 2008) universalization of education has been the major target for Nigeria since the middle of the 197os, when the Universal Primary Education (U.P.E) scheme began, the pupils enrolment increased rapidly. As usual the pressure of educational activities brought in a number of changes, some positive, others negative, couple with problems.
The unantipated reality of this educational expansion experience a profound shortage of learning facilities including space, several dearths of teachers and funds for implementation. Loud complaint was heard from parents and the general public because of the cost imposed on them from a programme that was purported to educate the students free of charge (Oghuvbu, 2007).
The educationally conscious Nigerians began to lose trust in the Universal Primary Education scheme, discouraging the government effort to finance the system which many concluded was a nightmare. The teachers’ morals suffered some battering. Various kinds of levies were re-imposed on parents by some school administrators and state government, in a bit to saving the scheme.
All these happened in spite of the excellent objectives and philosophy of the programme which were enunciated optimistically in the National Policy on Education Published in 1979. The Universal Primary Education, through a laudable programme to its merits was short-lived. (Aluede, 2006).
All Nigeria conference of principals of secondary schools (ANCOPSS, 1986) averred that the failure of the programme was intrinsically linked with the problem of inadequate finance, lack of provision and maintenance of infrastructural facilities, irregular payment of workers salary, poor or lack of supervision, poor planning, no clear cut programme for an inter-face between parents and the school to facilitate child care and basic education and the competition between private education centres and the public owned centres.
The fact that the (U.P.E) scheme failed to achieved its objectives led to the introduction of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Nigeria on the 29th September, 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo. The major inspiration of the scheme all came as a result of the conference held in Jomtein Thailand from 5th to 9th March, 1990, organized by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Babalola (2000).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It is important to be cognizance the fact that provision of facilities at this level of education has some impact on the academic performance of students be it positive or negative.
Adequate infrastructure and other teaching facilities will result in the effective implementation of the UBE scheme. From this point of view, it becomes necessary to study the impact of the universal basic education in the academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The central purpose of the study was to investigate the impact that Universal Basic Education has exerted on the academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area. Specifically, the study aimed at the following objectives.
– To determine the impact of availability of facilities under UBE scheme on the academic performance of students.
– To find out the impact of funding the UBE programme on the academic performance of students.
– To determine the impact of regular monitoring of the UBE programme in the academic performance of students.
– To determine the level of teachers’ implementation of UBE programme in Uyo Local Government Area and its impact in the academic performance of students.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study.
– Is there any impact of availability of facilities on Universal Basic Education and Academic Performance of Students in Uyo Local Government Area?
– Is funding of the UBE programme adequate to promote academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government?
– Is regular monitoring of the UBE programme carried out to promote academic performance of students?
– Do teacher’s implement the UBE programme to promote the academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
Hypotheses
There is no significant relationship between availability of facilities under UBE scheme and Academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
There is no significant relationship between funding UBE programme and Academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
There is no significant relationship between regular monitoring of UBE programme and Academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
There is on significant relationship between the level of teachers’ implementation of UBE programme and Academic performance of students in Uyo Local Government Area.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study is significant due to fact that its result will help to provide counselors, psychologists and Universal Basic Education planners, with the much needed information on which to base their decisions and make adequate plan toward impacting positively on the academic performance of students.
This calls for the need to address inadequate education facilities like classroom, inadequacy, well equipped laboratory, poor funding, staffing and regular monitoring, which have impacted on the academic performance of students benefitting from the Universal Basic Education Programme.
It is assumed that the result of the study will be useful to government and stakeholders in education in providing remedy to some of the challenges of the UBE programme which will inturn impact the academic performance of the students.
In all, if the analysis, findings and recommendations of the study are carried out, undoubtedly, students’ academic performance will be positively impacted through the UBE programme.
1.7 Delimitation of the Study
The study covers four clans Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. These include Offot, Etoi, Ikono and Oku clan. Eight schools were selected from the clans. The study equally examines the impact of UBE adequate provision of facilities, teachers, financing, monitoring and enlightenment in the academic performance of students.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
There were some limitations in the course of this study, these include:
Financial constraints, which was a hurdle to the research, otherwise the study would have covered all the schools in Akwa Ibom State.
There was limited time for this work.
Attitude of some respondents was not encouraging. Despite these limitations, the study has made me bring into focus how funding of UBE programme, provision of facilities, teachers, monitoring and enlightenment has impacted on the academic performance of students.
1.9 Basic Assumptions of the Study
– It is assumed that the more the provision of facilities for UBE programmes, the higher the academic performance of students.
– That the more the provision of qualified teachers in schools for UBE programmes, the higher the academic performance of students.
– It is assumed that the more the provision of fund for implementation of UBE programme, the higher the academic performance of students.
– It is assumed that the less the regular monitoring of UBE programme, the lower the academic performance students.
– It is assumed that the less the enlightenment campaign for UBE programmes in schools, the lower the academic performance of students.
1.10 Definition of Terms
In order to ensure understanding of important terms used in the study, and to eliminate and clarify ambiguity in meaning, the following terms are defined.
1. Impact: The effect that some thing has on some body.
2. Universal: Something that is for every one irrespective of culture, tribe and religion.
3 . Basic Education: Is a type of Education comprising 6 years of primary school and 3 years of Junior secondary School.
4. Academic Performance: School ability or effort of a person.
5. Local Government: Is a particular place or area where people live and carry out their day to day activities.
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