COMPLETE SCHOOL PROJECT TOPICS & MATERIALS :
CHAPTERS: Chapter 1-5
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
This chapter covers the background to the problem, statement of the problem, purpose and objectives of the study, research questions and tasks, the significance and conceptual framework.
1.2 Background to the Problem
Truancy is defined as unauthorized absence from school. Desocio et al (2007) argued that the major problems facing schools were how to effectively deal with student truancy. When students had not attended school for a long period of time or frequently missing school, were classified as truants.
That incidence of truancy was widely known to be a problem in formal education systems locally and internationally. A study by Reid (2005) titled “The causes, views and traits of school absenteeism and truancy: in analytical review”; was basically about school absenteeism and truancy. The study was conducted in England and had the following findings; nonattendance and truancy continued due to social inequalities, poverty, education attitudes, and incompetence of some parents, peer pressure, unattractive school buildings and climate. The recommendations made were, preventing and combating absence was expensive in terms of staff time, costly for schools and the nation. Therefore more studies in seeking more causes of truancy were needed to be taken.
Another scholar called Florence (2009) conducted a study titled, “The incidence and causes of Truancy in Senior High Schools: Implication for Counsellors and Parents, in Cape Cost Metropolis in Ghana. The study sought to investigate various incidences and causes of truancy in the senior high schools in the cape. The author came up with the following findings, truancy was caused by, family related causes, school related causes; teachers related causes and community related causes.
The recommendations he made were; firstly, there should be a national-wide
research in all institutions, from basic to the tertiary level on the incidence and causes of truancy in schools. Secondly, there should be a comparison in truancy among endowed schools as well as in single sex schools and mixed schools.
There was also a study by Monkie (2004) in the District of West Central Wisconsin.
The title was, “The Nature of Truancy and the Life World of Truants in Schools.” The purpose of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of truancy and then to characterize the nature and associated truancy factors, to ensure appropriate management. He adopted a quantitative method in which questionnaires were used. The study indicated that the majority of participants were aware of the occurrence of truancy in schools. The study further noted that, factors which contributing to truancy were categorized into the following aspects, personality aspects, which involved poor social skills, low self-esteem and learning difficulties.
The study of Monkie (op.cit) had the following recommendations; firstly, learning difficulties should be included in all interventions that were aimed at reducing truancy. Secondly, schools were needed to arrange and conduct training workshops for parents in order to inform them about their roles with regard to enlightening them on how to assist children academically or to monitor their progress and attendance.
Apart from what had been noted, in Ghana one notes a study conducted by Barongo (2007), titled “Assessment of truancy and dropout among primary school pupils in Rufiji District”. The author argued that there were both social and school related factors in influencing truancy and dropout among primary school pupils. Such factors ranged from poor or little involvement of parents or guardians in making sure that their children attended school regularly, misleading cultural practices that encouraged truancy and dropout, pupil participation in agricultural activities, poor physical infrastructure at school like enough classroom or desks, punishment and bad relationship between teachers and pupils.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Educational systems all over the world, school enrollment and proper attendance were two sides of the same coin. In Ghana communities had responded to the call of the government on establishing Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana. Agona region as well as its districts was not left behind in that developmental strategy.
However, in the process of trying to promote the provision of secondary education to the majority; Truancy is one anomaly appeared to interrupt the process towards universal secondary education (USE). The current study intended to explore the factors that influencing truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana in the Agona district. Basing on the figures obtained from the District Education Office, great existed variations between the number of students who were registered and those who regularly attended classes.
If that trend of affairs would be left to prevail; for sure the target of the government as well as local communities by providing secondary education to the majority would automatically be tempered. Given that situation where schools registered reasonable numbers of students, but for reasons which were not established, where students abscond schooling; necessitated a need to conduct a study so as to enlighten the government as well as the public on the real causes of high dropout rates due to truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana in the district.
Some researchers had explored the causes of truancy in some other parts of the world different from the district noted. Were there any other causes or were the noted causes in other parts of the world similar to those operating in the district? Why was the number of truants bigger among male students as opposed to female? Why was there poor attendance in a particular season? Were parents cooperating with teachers to find the causes of truancy and strategies to eradicate the anomaly? Such questions and others activated a necessity of making more explorations on truancy among pupils of Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana: causes, effects and solution
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1.4 Purpose and Objective of the Study
The purpose of the study was to explore factors which influenced truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana. Specifically, the study intended to determine causes of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana.
1.4.1Specific Objectives of the Study Were
- To explore the level of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana in Agona District,
- To determine the causes of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana in Agona District
- To explore the effect of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana in Agona District.
1.5 Research Questions
The study was guided by the following research questions
- What is the level of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana?
- What are the factors causing truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana?
- What are the effects of truancy in Agona D/A J.H.S. in Agona municipal of Ghana?
1.6 Significance of the Study
- i) This will create awareness among school administrators and other stakeholders on the causes of truancy in secondary school, ii) The study will help policy makers to come out with policies and programs capable of promoting work skills among students; and iii) The study will reveal to the public sustainable strategies capable of eradicating truancy among students in community school.