THE EFFECT OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Deviant behavior is a behavior portraying a departure from social norms. According to Chamber Dictionary 1st edition, deviant behavior means to deviate from the norms of particular people, society or community. Such behavior or activities include crime, drunkenness, indiscipline, drug addiction, bribery and corruption, absenteeism in school and many others.

Michael S. (2004) defined deviant behavior as that type of behavior that is contrary to norms and the rules of the study. Nigeria society today is developing; therefore it requires education system that will ensure her development. Hence the Nigeria education system must stimulate the spirit of patriotism and lay the solid foundation for national and international understanding and cooperation in children. Due to this fact, the education of the youth is very important in order to ensure the citizens to the social and economic development of the country as well as raising the standard of living generally.

According to Ehigie (2001) the family as agent of socialization could have significant impact on the child. This is evident from the fact it is first placed where the child learns about leadership and what it takes also basic skill and behaviour pattern have to be taught by parent in the home. The school as an agent of socialization and training institution for our society is also with an acute problem which also affects the society at large. The problem is that of deviant behaviour. The school as an organization should be able to deliver citilitarian services, which is geared towards the betterment of the government and the society, such as the ability to teach moral honesty, regularity, loyalty and dedication.

This implies that the school should be able to produce disciplined pupils who will later become good citizens who are free from any deviant act or behaviour of any kind.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

According to Murdock (1969) the family as an agent of socialization is a training institution for our society. The suggestions to be made in this study will go a long way to minimize the problem. This study is concerned with the investigation of the cause of deviant behaviour among students in secondary schools and how it affect the academic performance in some selected secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

The influence of student’s back group on deviant behaviour as well as examining the possible influence of school environment, teacher, parents, society, and peer group behaviour is promoting deviant behaviour among some students. Basically, this study is very important and relevant to the development of children, mostly in this our present complex society and also to provide insight into child needs and how these needs could be met.

To eradicate or minimize this ugly situation answer to the following questions would be sought could the effect of deviant behaviour influence the academic performance of students negatively? To what extent has deviant behaviour contribute to the performance of the child?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.     Could deviant behaviour be attributed to parents’ inability to meet the student’s school need?

2.     Does the role of parents, school, society and environment in which they live play or control deviant behaviour in secondary schools?

3.     To what extent can deviant behaviour affect the academic performance of students in secondary schools?

4.     Could deviant behaviour cause students’ drop out in school?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study stands to achieve the following aims to investigate whether parents in any way either knowingly contributes to deviant behaviour of students in secondary schools. To determine whether the nature of the school administration has influenced the deviant behaviour exhibited by students.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of significance to the principals, headmasters, and teachers in the schools on the upbringing of the student or child because they have correct dealing with the parent because it will help them know the factors that enhance students’ performance in the school whether he or she is doing well and to provide necessary materials needed by the teachers.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research was initially meant to cover all the secondary schools in Ovia North east Local Government Area. But due to factors such as time, and finances, it was limited to selected schools. The sampled population includes the following schools; Faith Immaculate College, Army Day Secondary School, Iguiediaken Secondary School, Word of Hope Secondary School, Nifor Secondary School. This method of random sampling was adopted by the researcher in order to find out the effects of deviant behaviour on academic performance of the group of students in secondary schools.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Deviant: The act of deviating from the norms of a particular people, society or community

Behaviour: This is the way a person, animal, plant or chemical substance etc behaves or function a particular situation.

Truancy: the practice of staying away from school without permission

School administration: this is a formalized system which plan, coordinate, organizes, staffing, reporting and evaluating of all matters of the entire school affairs.

 Frustrated: unable to be successful in a particular career.

Academic Performances: The scores an individual obtains in a class test or examination based on his learning experiences in school.

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