EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ON ADULT LEARNERS IN SELECTED LITERACY CENTRES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0              INTRODUCTION

1.1              BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Environment could be described as the sum total of what is around something or someone. It includes living things and natural forces. The environment of living things provides conditions for development and growth, as well as danger and damage; as living things do not simply exist in their environment, they constantly interact with it. Organisms change in response to conditions in their environment and the environment consists of the interactions among plants, animals, soil, water, temperature, light and to other living and non living things (Ajayi, 2001 and Oluchukwu, 2000).

Hence the word environment is used to talk about many things by people in different fields of knowledge (like history, geography or biology) use the differently). An electromagnetic environment is the various radio waves that equipment such as radio and reader can meet. Galactic environment refers to condition between the stove.

In psychology and medicine a persons environment is the people physical things, places and events that the person lives with. The environment affects the personsbehaviour. It affects the persons body, mind and heart (Goliber 2003). Discussions on nature versus nuture are sometimes framed as heredity versus environment. The earth is the only planet in the solar system that support life. In biology and ecology the environment is all of the natural materials and living things including sunlight. This is also called the natural environment. Some people call themselves environmentalists and these people think we must protect the environment (to keep it safte). They think people should not put so much pollution (waste) into the environment. The important things in the environment that we value are called sunlight, and forests. These are renewable natural resources because more grows naturally when we use them. Non-renewable natural resources are important things in the environment that do not come back naturally, for example coal and natural grass (Banning 2001).

Furthermore, the extent to which learner learning could be enhanced depend on the location  within the school compound, the structure of the classroom, availability of instructional facilities and access ones. It is believed that a well planned school will gear up expected outcome of education that will facilitate good social, political and economic emancipation, effective teaching and learning process and academic performance of the learners.

1.2              STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Emphasizing the importance of school environment to learners performance Ohichukwu, (2000) asserted that environment is an essential aspect of educational planning, he went further to explain that unless schools are well suited, buildings adequately constructed and equipment adequately utilized and maintained, much teaching and learning may not take place.

The high level of learners performances may not be guaranteed where instructional space such as classrooms, technical, workshop  and laboratories are structurally defective. However, little is known on the impact  of environment  on learners performance.

1.3              OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The specific objectives of this study are:

-                             To examine the relationship between school environment and the learners performance

-                             To examine the impact of school facilities on the performance of learners

-                             To investigate the extent to which school location affects the academic achievement of learners.

1.4              RESEARCH QUESTION

-                             Is there any relationship between environment and the learners performance

-                             To what extent do school facilities affect learner performance

-                             What effect does class size has on the performance of adult learners.

1.5              SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide information for educators, corporate bodies and school administrators to reflect upon various factors that help students in achieving their academic goals. In so doing, they can investigate the possibility of introducing those factors to there centre, which may consequently lead to enhancing students educational outcomes in school. In addition, the fact that this study is conducted is to serve as literature for individual who may want to carry out research on similar topics in the same or related field, and also the entire society will be a beneficiary of the study as individuals, organizations, government parastatals, religions, home etc. who lay their hands on this research work will have the in-depth knowledge of the effect of environment on teaching adult learners.

1.6              SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research study will examine the effect of environment on teaching-learning process of adult learners with a particular reference to Yetfund skill development centre, Abeokuta south local government

1.7              OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Adult learner: A person who is 18 years and above who is involved in forms of learning. They can also be called mature learner, adult returner, adult student and returning adult.

Environment: The aggregate of surrounding things, conditions or influences; surrounding; milieu

Teaching: Impacting knowledge or skill or instruct (someone) as to how to do something by example or experience

Learning: The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.