AN ASSESSMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN
JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EXAMINATION IN BUSINESS STUDIES
ABSTRACT
This research is an overview of the
student’s performance in Business Studies in some selected junior secondary
schools in Ikere local government area of Ekiti State. Questionnaires were
administered by the Researcher to both tutors and students of Business studies
in some selected junior secondary schools concerned. The data obtained from
this research were collected and analyzed using percentile method. The research
brought into focus various factors influencing the performance students in the
subject. Emphasis was laid on the attribution of the tutors, the government and
the students. In addition, the significance of adequate textbooks and
availability of necessary materials were also brought into focus. Necessary
recommendations were made with a view of improving the overall students’
performance in Business studies.
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background Information of the Study
Assessment as an indispensable ingredient, condiment and
tool for determining efficiency at work or play, mastery of delivered
instructions, decision making about policy, curriculum and programme; placing,
classifying, managing selecting promoting and certifying students’ needs to
evolve from the most suitable, equitable and reliable method of assessment.
Assessment is carried out almost in all facets of life. It
is utilized to determine the value of an object and the effectiveness of a
programme or the performance of a certain learner. In education, assessment
according to Ezewu and Okoye (2001) involves all activities carried out to
determine the extent of the performance of a student in a school up to a
particular point in a time.
Olaitan (2006) expressed that the observed and result of any
teaching learning activity is based on the students ability to perform satisfactorily
and independently on such activities, skill and attitude as concerned to Good
(2003) is the actual accomplishment of learning as distinguished from potential
ability.
Educational assessment seeks to determine how well students
are learning and is an integral part of the quest for improved education. It
provides feedback to students, educators, parents, policymakers, and the public
about the effectiveness of educational services.
Nanassely (2007) argues that Business Studies is that aspect
of total education programme that provides knowledge, skills, attitude and
understanding needed to perform in the business world as producer or consumer
of goods and services that business offers. Okeke (2008) opines that it is
noteworthy that business studies involves teaching students the fundamental
theories and process of business in various level of education which include
secondary school and higher education, an average number students enroll in one
or more business courses during their secondary school programmes.
Ugwochukwu (2009) stated that business studies is a concept
that can be defined in so many ways by several people to suit different
situation and purposes, some defined it from the way it is taught in schools.
“Business studies refer to those business subjects taught at the secondary
school level such as Book Keeping and Shorthand.
According to Okeke (2008), Gender is a cultural construct
that distinguishes the roles, behavior, mental and emotional characteristics
between female and males developed by a society;- Umoh ( 2003) defines gender
as a psychological term used is describing behavious and attributes expected of
individuals on the basis of being born as either male or female. Thus, gender
equally projects the properties that distinguish and classify organism on the
basis of their reproductive and cultural expectant roles. It relates to the
cultural psychological attributes of men and women through their socio-
economic contributions expectations and limitations. It has been observed that
both male and female students has equal chances of academic success but the
male always claim superiority over their female counterparts which cannot be
judged academically as there are numerous cases where the female performs
excellently in their academic work than their male counterpart.
Thus the concept of gender does not support or suggest the
domination of male over female or vice versa in academics and other human
resources development areas but stresses equality equity in enhancing effective
and efficient recognition, development and utilization of competencies and
endowed capability of both sexes.
Statement of the Problem
Generally, Vocational subjects were introduced into the
junior secondary school curriculum by the federal government with the aim of
preparing the students for a chosen vocation (NPE 2004). In order to achieve
this objective, the federal government embarked on the training of vocational
teachers through a programme known as Technical Teacher Training programme
(TTTP).
The programme was then meant to upgrade and improve the
skills of vocational and science teachers. Business studies were included in
the curriculum as a subject with the aim of preparing its recipients for work
in all phases of business. Though, the 2010 National Policy on Education gives
each school the chance of choosing its own option among the vocational
subjects, but the researcher noticed that nearly all schools within Ikere -
Local Government Area of Ekiti State do offer the subjects. Also, it is
observed the subject is offered by both male and female students in the schools
while it appears that more attention is placed on it over and above other
pre-vocational subjects like introductory Technology, Fine Art, Agricultural
Science and Home – Economics. In addition, there has since been tremendous
increase in the number of business studies teachers posted to teach in
secondary school. In the light of all these and since the success of any
teaching and learning process is evident in the general performance of studies
in a subject. The researcher therefore wishes to shed more light to the various
methods of assessing the academic performance of junior secondary school
students in Business Studies in Ikere local government area of Ekiti State.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study was to carry out an assessment
on the secondary school students academics performances in business studies at
Ikere – Local Government Area of Ekiti – State. Specifically, the study aimed at:
(1)
Examining
the general performance of secondary school students in Business Studies.
(2)
Determining
the level of performance of male and female students in Business Studies.
(3)
Identifying
factors that contribute to the poor performance of the students in Business
Studies.
Research Question
In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the
following questions were formulated to guide the study.
(1)
What
is the general performance of secondary school students in Business Studies in
Ikere – Local Government Area?
(2)
What
is the level of performance of male and female students in Business Studies?
(3)
What
are the factors that affect students’ performance?
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study could be beneficial to the
teachers, the school administrators and the government as a whole. The result
of the study could help in discovering whether the teaching and learning
process of the subject on the entire local governments successful or not while
the comparable outcome of male and female students result will indicate where
more effort is required. Also in finding out the factors limiting the students’
performance, the school administrators and the government will be assisted in
identifying the resources that are lacking in schools. The teachers could also
be helped in identifying their short comings and how best they can help the
students.
Delimitation of the Study
The study was delimited to J.S.S III students in secondary
school in Ikere – local government. Attention was focused on the student’s
general performance in Business Studies, the study also focused on comparing
the level of performance of male and female students as well as the factors
militating against their performance.
Definition of Terms
(1)
Performance: The
accomplishment of a given task
measured against preset known standards of accuracy,
completeness, cost,
and speed. In a contract,
performance is deemed to
be the fulfillment of
an obligation,
in a manner that releases
the performer from all liabilities
under the contract.
(2)
Academic Performance: The Academic
Performance is a measurement of academic performance
and progress of individual schools.
(3)
Assessment: Is regarded as the interpretation
of test administered on learners after a series of lesson usually covering many
different concepts or topic.
(4)
Periodic Assessment: Periodic Assessment are Assessments
taking by the students several times throughout the school year to give
teachers more information about what students have learned.
