TEACHER ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION AS A PREDICTOR OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

ABSTRACT

This research work investigated Teacher Academic Qualification as a predictor of Academic Performance in Junior Secondary Schools. The descriptive research design was used in carrying out the study. One hundred respondents were selected using the simple random sampling technique. Data collected was analysed using the simple percentage. Result from the study reveals that the teachers subject mastery aids good teaching enhancing pupils academic performance. It also shows that the more learned the teacher is, the better the output. The study recommends that periodic in-service training/workshop be organised for teachers to enhance productivity. 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0              INTRODUCTION

1.1              BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A teacher (also called a school teacher) is a person who provides education for students.

The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wished to becomes a teacher must first obtain specified professional qualification or credentials from a university or college (Moos, R.H 1979). These professional qualification may include the study of Pedagogy, the science of teaching.

Teachers, like other professionals, may have to continue their education after they qualified a process known as continue professional development. Teacher may use a lesson plan to facilitate student learning, providing a course of study which is called the curriculum.

A teacher’s role may vary among cultures. Teachers may provide instruction in literacy and numeracy, craftsmanship or vocational training the arts, religion, civic, community roles, or life skills Goorian, Brad (1999).

A teacher who facilitates education for an individual may also be described as a personal tutor, o largely historically, a governess.

Informal learning may be assisted by a teaching occupying a transient or by anyone with knowledge or skills in the wider community setting (Fraser, B.J 1982).

Teaching may be carried out informally, within the family which is called home schooling or in the widers community. Formal teaching may be carried out by paid professional. Such professionals enjoys a status in some societies on a par with physicians, lawyers, engineers, and accountants.

There are varieties of body designed to instil, preserve and update the knowledge and professional standing of teachers. Around the worlds, many government operate teacher’s colleges, which are generally established to serve and protect the public interest through certifying, governing  and enforcing the standards of practice for the teaching profession, (Hartmut, J. 1978).

Baker J.A (1999) argued that one of the functions of the teachers colleges may include setting out clear standards of practice, providing for the ongoing education of teachers, investigating complaint involving members, conducting hearing into allegations of professional misconduct and taking appropriated disciplinary action and accrediting teacher education programs. He also stress further that, in many situation teacher in public funded schools must be members in good standing with the college people. In education, teacher, on an individual basis may be described as a tutor

The objective is typically accomplished through either an informal or formal approach to learning, including a course of study and lesson plan that teacher skills, knowledge or thinking skills. Different ways to teach are often referred to as pedagogy. The role of a teachers in nation building/development cannot be over emphasized. This study is there for interested on how the teacher academic qualification will determine the pupils academic performance.    

1.2              STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

‘No nation’ can be above the level of the teachers. This means the teacher level of education can determine to a larges extent. The performance of the pupil. The study will therefore find out

1.      The concept of a teacher

2.      The importance of a teacher

3.      The effect of teacher qualification on pupil academic performance

4.      The measures that can be taken to ensure a more positive effect on school.

1.3              RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.      Who is a teacher

2.      What is the importance of a teachers

3.      What is the effect of teacher qualification on pupils academic performance

4.      What are the measures that can be taken to ensure a more positive effect on school.

1.4              PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The study will look into:

1.      The meaning of a teachers

2.      The importance of a teachers

3.      The effect of teacher qualification on pupils academic performance

4.      The measure that can be taken to ensure a more positive effect on schools

1.5              SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

·         Teacher

·         Pupils

·         Parent

·         Government

1.      The teacher as the role model for the pupils will be able to have opportunity to learn new techniques in his/her teaching and the opportunity to go for workshops, in-service training, seminars and professional courses, so as the teacher to gain more knowledge on his/her field or area of specification

2.      Pupils: How would pupils benefit in teacher qualification. The strongest influence on how well the pupils will performed is directly linked on how will educated the teachers are to those pupils.

-          The pupils will be able to benefit in gaining knowledge when the teacher is teaching

3.      Parent: The teacher qualification will build the interest of the parents on the pupil achievement.

-          When the parent follow the performance of the pupil, in return get more interested in schooling too. And such parent will be able to motivate their ward or children with gifts

-          It gives the parent more confidence on there children

4.      Government: The study will be of benefit to the government with the help of teacher level of education. There will be pause on the part of the government to allow teacher to go for training, workshop, seminars, counsel and other in-service programme may be organized to equip a teacher for a better performance. This in a better out on the pupils.

1.6              SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will be carried out in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun state

1.7              DE-LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

These study was limited by some constrained which include limited time in which the study was conducted. There was also the problem of finance as well as pressure of school of school of work which had to be combine to the study. There was also the problem of uncooperative attitude of some of the respondents

1.8              DEFINITION OF TERMS

The followings are the definition of difficult terms

a.       Appropriate: Suitable or proper

b.      Academic: Concerning the work done in schools

c.       Detect: Reveal, or to discover perceive the existence of some thing

d.      Development: The latest in a number of real or imaginary

e.       Education: Teaching and learning. The government believes in the importance of education

f.       Numerous: Great in number or many

g.      Pupils: Someone who learns from an experienced musician, artist etc.

h.      Professional: Relating to a job that needs special education and training

i.        Teacher: Someone who teachers as their job

j.        Qualification: If you have a qualification, you have passed an examination or course to show you have a particular level of skill