CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
of the Study
Science is recognized widely as
being of great importance internationally both for economic well-being of nations
and because of the need for scientifically literate citizens (Fraser and
Walberg, 2015). Knowledge of science and technology is therefore a requirement
in all countries and all people globally due to the many challenges that are
facing them. These challenges include emergences of new drug resistant
diseases, effects of genetic experimentation and engineering, ecological impact
of modern technology, dangers of nuclear war and explosions and global warming
among others (Alsop & Hicks, 2001). As a result there are rapid changes
taking place in industry, communication, agriculture, and medicine. Science as
an instrument of development plays a dominant role in bringing about these
changes by advancing technological development, promoting national wealth, improving
health and industrialization (Validya, 2003). Weham, Dorlin, Snell and Taylor
(1984) emphasized that sciences are and will remain the fundamental subjects
through the ages.
Parents had a
significant effect on students’ choice of career and subjects. Parents’
characteristics played a vital role in students’ choice of technical subjects.
Parents had a crucial task of preparing the child for education. In their task
of socializing the child's parents had a
greater influence on the child’s development and future life choices (Mabunda,
2002). Elsworth, Harvey‐Beavis, AinleyandFabris
(1999) observe that students were more likely to be enrolled in Economics nd Business, and Home Science if they came
from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds. Mohd, Salleh and Mustapha (2010)
also affirms that family members can provide information and guidance, directly
or indirectly to influence a young person's choice of career. Family members’
career choices influence students’ career decision and form a strong belief in
what kinds of career are the best for the students. This is supported by
Anderson and Gilbride (2007) who stated that knowledge about engineering was
correlated to having an engineer in the family. Rayne (2012) observed that,
there must be some credible role models in the community who imparted in the
mind of individuals the benefits of self- employment as a career. Hardy (1984)
also observed that, lack of role models was a limiting factor in the career
choices of young people; and that business ownership emerges more readily in
the presence of strong entrepreneurial role models. The abundance of successful
independent businesses acted as role models in the community and a contributing
factor in students’ choice of technical subjects in schools.
According Whitelaw, Milosevec and
Daniels (2000), gender was probably the most important variable related to
pupils’ attitudes to science and technology subjects. Many studies, for
instance, Francis and Greer (1999) and Jones, Howe and Rua (2000) reported that
males had more positive attitudes toward science and technology subjects than
females
Statistics on international trends
in science subjects selection in 46 countries shows that in the US, among
fourth graders in 2007, males continued to prefer science subjects to females
in where males scored significantly higher overall than females in science
(Mullis, Martin and Foy, 2008).The 1986 National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) carried out in the United States earlier had reported that boys
had outperformed girls in sciences achievement and the gender gap increased as
students progressed in school. A later assessment by NAEP in 2005 revealed that
males preferred sciences subjects to females in grades 4, 8 and 12. Females at
alllevels made relatively little gains in their average
science scores since 1996. In most cases by grade 11, the areas of largest male
advantage were physics, chemistry, earth science and space science (Kahle and
Meece, 1994). In the final year of secondary school, males had a significantly
higher achievement in scientific literacy than females in all participating countries
(European Union Report, 2009).
Statement of the Problem
Students in Nigeria secondary schools have been often faced with the problem of
indecision when they are about to choose the science subjects in their third
form of the secondary schooleducation. This problem has
plagued many Nigeria secondary
school students for quite sometimes. It is such a problem that must be looked
into, knowing fully well that the place of sciences in secondary education
cannot be over emphasized in the educational development of a nation. With good
background, students still need to develop themselves on the subject areas they
are keenly interested in and particularly that they have potentiality for. Many
students have been found choosing subjects without considering the aspect of
their potentiality and the directive of the school counselor where available.
Purpose
of the Study.
The major objective of this study is to find
out the effect of parental influence in
the choice of science subject among secondary schoo students in ----------local
government area of Sokoto State .
The study was guided by the
following specific objectives:
1. . To investigate the role of parents
in students’ choices of science subjects in-----------local government area of
Soko State
2. To determine the effects of the
value of the science subject on
students’ choices of the subject
3. To find out the influence of
the subject teacher on students’ choices
of science subjects
4. To find out the influence of gender
differences on students’ choices of science subjects
Research Questions
The study was guided with the
following Research Questions:
1. What is the influence of
parents and teachers in students’ choices of science subjects inSokoto State?
2. What are the effects of the value of
the science subject on students’ choice of science subject
4. How does gender difference influence
affect students’ choices of science subjects
Significance Of the
Study
The study would be of great
significance to the school management because it would help the management
fraternity in understanding the factors affecting the choice of science
subjects and be able to initiate appropriate measures to improve on students’
performance in science subjects
The study would add to the wide
academic knowledge in the area of education which can be used by other
researchers as reference in future. Researchers and research institutes may use
the study to come up with other research studies.
Scope of the Study
The study investigated the effect of
parental influence in the choice of science subject among secondary school
students in ----------local government area of Sokoto State.
The study faced various shortcomings
that may affect effective research undertaking. Respondents may be suspicious
and fail to answer the questionnaire. The researcher intended to overcome this
by adopting objectivity approach (by asking general questions on the issues
pertaining to science subject selection) to the parents. Simple questions with
answers to choose from will be used.
Definition of significant terms
Science
subjects: These
involves subjects which are core to the examination board in Kenyasecondary
Education and they includes such subjects as Biology, chemistry, physics and
others, for the purpose of this study the focus was on the factors influencing
students choice on selecting them.
Choice:
Refers to the students’ preference
over one science subject as compared to the otherscience subjects the study
focused on identifying the critical factors that influenced students’ choice on
the subjects. The choice of subject can either be to great extent or to low
extent. Secondary schools: This is
an education level in Nigeria that
precedes primary education in theNigeria curriculum system which follows 6.3.4 systems
Value
of science subject: Content
and relevance of the subject as related to career aspirations.
Teacher
influence: The
way a teacher make students choose a subject or not choose it.
Gender
influence: Perception
of male or female while choosing subjects
Role
of teacher in subject selection: what is required/the responsibility of the teachers when
students are choosing subjects.
Role
of parent in subject selection: what is required/the responsibility of the parents when
students are choosing subjects.
