CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Education is the acquisition and application of knowledge in various fields for effective performance of ones task. The federal, state and local Governments of the federation place high premium on education they recognize it as a weapon against ignorance, disease, squalor and poverty and as a means of raising an enlightened, lively and industrious citizenry and of producing a prosperous nation. Education is an important medium for imparting the cultural traits and for change and transition and for instructing members of any society on the accepted norms, values and practices. Omebe (2005) states that the main aim of educational institution is to bring change in the behaviour of human beings from the time an individual is born and last till death. Omebe (2007) defined education as that training which is given by suitable habits to the first instincts of virtue in children when pleasure and pain are rightly implanted in non-rational soul. The particular training in respect of pleasure and pain which leads on to hate and love what love ought to have and love is called education. The federal government of Nigeria has adopted education as an instrument for excellence for eecting not only national development but also as a tool in the achievement of her five national objectives stated in the national policy on education (2007). These objectives are the building of: a. A free and democratic society b. A just and egalitarian society c. A united, strong and self-reliant nation d. A great and dynamic economy e. A land full of bright opportunities for all citizens.

This implies that among other things Nigeria intends producing education for all her children of school age. This provision of education covers at least from primary school level to tertiary levels depending on the individuals academic ability. National policy on education (2007:14) defined primary education as the education given in institutions for children aged 6 to 11 plus since the rest of the education system is build upon it, the primary level is the key to the success or failure of the whole system. The duration shall be six years. The goal of primary education is to: a. Inculcate permanent literacy and numeracy and ability to communicate eectively. b. Lay a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking c. Given citizenship education as a basis for eective participation in and contribution to the life of the society. d. Mould the character and develop sound attitude and morals in the child. e. Develop in the child the ability to adapt to the Child’s changing environment. f. Give the child opportunities for developing manipulative skills that will enable the child function eectively in the society within the limits of the child’s capacity. g. Provide the child with basic tools for further educational advancement including preparation for trades and cra of the locality.

These goals will form the basis of primary education in all the states of the federation. According to Emore (2005) Defined dropout as a person who withdrew from conventional or who never completed his or her education in the primary school or other higher institution because of one circumstances or the other. The cost of dropping out of primary school can have a profound eect on a young person’s life. The relative earnings of primary school dropout experience more unemployment during their work careers. Young girls who dropout of school are more likely to become pregnant at young age and single parents Synder and Sickmud (2005). The relative earnings of primary school dropout may be lower than those who completed their education. Similarly, primary school dropout experience more unemployment during their work careers. Young girls who drop out of primary school are forced to take up a nanny job, hawking exercise, farming and planting etc. Ecological achievement, During planting and farming season, pupils from the populous farming and fishing areas are drawn out from schools to help in these activities. Still speaking on economic, young girls who are unfortunate to come from a poor background drop out of school due to inability of the parent to aord school fee, are force into hawking simply to make ends meet. Both boys and girls dropout of school to take up a nanny job either in their home or outside their home.

At home to save the cost of employing a well trained mature nanny who will be suit for the job, outside the home in order to get paid for and provide for the family needs. Some times primary schools pupils are forced to take some national assignments like taking part in census exercise, registration of voters are drawn out of school to help in these activities .They are sobering statistics when contrasted with the reality of a work place that continue to require skills and the ability to embark on careers that require increase in literacy. More education, enhance technical skills and the ability to embark on careers that require life long learning without the skills and training that schooling provide. Davidson (2005:15) states that those who do not complete their education face a life time of limited opportunities or even possibly a life delinquency and crime. The purpose of this research work is to broaden peoples understanding of dropout by taking into consideration psychological behavioral risk and protective factors associated with primary school dropout. Though dropout can be viewed as personal decision, it should not be forgotten that other contributing factors such as family, peer relationship, school and individual psychological process must be taken into consideration. From a historical stand-point, research has shown a one sided view as why pupils dropout of primary school. According to Whelage (2006), it is the characteristics of students along with their families and cultural background that are responsible for their dropping out. Whelage (2006) further added that a more complex and balance picture addressing the cause of dropping out of school has been identified. There is strong evidence that subject failure and school disciplinary problem in combination with chaotic personal, social and family background conditions contribute to dropping out