TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

DECLARATION .

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES viii

ACRONYMS ix

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION i

1.0 Background 1

1 .1 Statement of the Problem 1

1.2 Objectives of the Study 2

1.2.1 General Objective of the Study 2

1.2.2 Specific Objectives of the Study 2

1 .3 Research Questions 2

1.4 Scope of the Study 2

1.5 Significance of the Study 3

CHAPTER TWO 4

LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.0 Introduction 4

2.1 Attitude towards secondary Schools 4

2.1.1 Negative attitude on the teachers’ part 4

2.1.2 Negative attitude on the learners part 6

2.2 Teaching Methods 7

2.2.1 Teaching /Learning Resources 7

2.2.2 Quality of Manpower 8

2.3 Role of teachers on the Academic Performance 8

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CHAPTER THREE .10

METHODOLOGY 10

3.0 Introduction 10

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Area and Population of the Study 10

3.3 Sample Selection

3.4 Sample Size Ii

3.5 Data Collection Instruments 1 1

3.5.1 Questionnaires 11

3.5.2 Structured Interview 11

3.5.3 Focus Group Discussions 11

3.6 Data Collection Methods 11

3.6.1 Primary data collection method 12

3.6.2 Secondary data sources 12

3.7 Procedures 12

3.8 Data Analysis 12

3.9 Ethical Considerations 12

3.10 Limitations 12

3.1 1 Delirnitations 13

CHAPTER FOUR 14

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF DATA .. 14

4.0 Introduction 14

4.1 Socio-demographic background of the Respondents 14

4.1.1 Sex 14

4.1.2 Age 14

4.1 .3 Marital status i s

4.1.4 Education level 15

4.1.5 Occupation 16

4.2 Attitudes towards secondary Schools 16

4.2.1 Attitude of Parents towards the secondary Schools 16

4.2.2 Attitude of Teachers towards secondary Schools 17

4.2.2.1 Negative Attitude 17

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4.2.2.2 Negative attitudes on Learners 18

4.3 Methods used for the retention of secndaary school learners in schools 18

4.4 Roles of Teachers in children’s performance 19

4.5 Roles of Parents in Children’s performance 19

4.6 Absenteeism and Academic performance 20

4.6.1 Causes of Absenteeism 20

4.6.2 Solutions 21

4.6.3 Performance of Absentees 22

4.6.4 Performance of those who are always present 23

4.6.5 Relationship between Absenteeism and Academic Performance 23

CHAPTER FIVE 24

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 24

5.0 Introduction 24

5.1 Summary 24

5.2 Conclusions 25

53 Recommendations 25

REFERENCES 27

APPENDICES 28

APPENDIX A: WORKPLAN Error! Bookmark not defined.

APPENDIX B: BUDGET Error! Bookmark not defined.

APPENDIX C: QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE PARENTS, TEACHERS, HEAD- TEACHER

AND LEARNERS 28