THE INFLUENCE OF MORAL INSTRUCTION ON ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the influence of moral instruction on academic development of primary schools pupils in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study covered ten (10) selected primary schools with sixty four (64) teachers in Umunze Orumba South Local Government Area Education Council. All the sixty four (64) teachers were used for the study as a result of their low numerical strength in the area of study. The instrument for data collection was a self-designed close ended questionnaire. The items were structured in like manner and the statistical tool for data analysis was the mean. Recommendations were also made which include that Government should provide curriculum and encourage the broad use of variety of resource persons and quality teachers in the teaching of moral Instruction on our pupils to eliminate to a large extent the moral decadence and other bad behaviors imparted on pupils by parents/Government for their inability and unseriousness to carry out their duties.

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

At the time of the colonial masters, education success was measured in terms of moral value or instruction taken in or imbedded by the recipients/pupils. Moral instruction was the highest priority in their implied curriculum activities. Many schools came to be some years after the government take over schools in the East central state of Nigeria. The takeover of schools especially the mission schools by the governments robbed our pupils (children) both in the schools and at homes of their moral standard or values. We need not to have or wait for a prophet to tell us that since missions/churches were attacked to surrender their schools to the government, there came decay of moral standard both in our schools, churches and society at large.

The Mark Hancock (2000) defined morals as something concerned with principles of right and wrong behavior based on one’s sense of what is right and just, not on legal rights and obligations. Therefore, moral instruction means teaching or illustrating right behaviors through a practical lesson, an event or an experience.

Moral instruction lesson does not preach bible alone neither does it teach values alone, rather it combines both of them to drive meaning to the pupils above the objectives of the lesson.
Morality is concerned with a large area of human conduct and not just with a few pressing current problems. It includes behavior which seems to come to us naturally and matters which produce great stress and conflict. Recently, the high wave of immoral acts/indiscipline has become a top priority concern in matters relating to educational affairs of the country. The major point is that the level of command of moral instructions maintained by teachers and school authorities in those days has lost its glory.

Statement of the Problem

It is a common phenomenon at this educational stage to see pupil’s sighing and shuffling their legs in the class right in the presence of the teacher who is teaching them.

Also, it is not uncommon to see some pupils leave the school early enough before closing hours and malinger throughout the nooks and crannies of the street in search of what neither the school authorities nor parents sent them to do. The idea of passing examination by foul means have been the order of the day in our secondary school systems.

This definitely will help to defeat the achievement of the laudable objectives of the nations educational system. Cases abound of primary schools involving themselves in violent demonstration and way-laying of their teachers just as a result of flimsy reasons. Primary and secondary school teenagers are nowadays in the act of sex scandal, drug addition and other social vices. All these acts now create fear in the in-service teacher and potential teachers on the safety of their lives and on the lovers of education thereby limiting the major educational goals, the researchers therefore seek to identify some of these moral problems met by primary school teachers and suggest possible solutions to the problems identified.

Purpose of the Study

The main purposes of this study are;
1. To investigate the moral problems in primary schools
2. To investigate the effects of Moral Instructions on Pupils academic development.
3. To find out what seems to be causing immorality in primary schools.
4. To identify the ways parents help in building sound moral standards on pupils.

Significance of the Study

The researchers consider the topic of the study very important in that it will help both the private and public schools to identify those things which influence the teaching of moral instructions in their schools. Again, the result will also help government/institutions to encourage the teaching of moral instructions in primary schools.

This situation will raise the behavior, attitude or approach of both the teachers and the pupils (learners) towards the teaching and learning of moral instruction in schools. This study will help to shape the decision of the school boards as regards moral instruction in schools including corrective measures which have to enable teachers to tackle the problems of immoral acts such as suspension, expulsion, corporal punishment, compulsory punctuality in every school.

This study will also help and make the teachers to be aware that they have a big role to play in shaping the behaviors of their children/pupils in positive direction or information.

Scope of the Study

The scope of the study encompasses only the selected government primary schools in Orumba south local government. Due to academic engagement, financial and time constraints. The researchers cannot travel to the whole primary schools in Anambra state, we selected some primary schools in Orumba south local government area and this research will study how moral instruction influences the academic development of primary school pupils.

Research Questions

To tackle this research effectively, the following research questions were formulated for the study.
1. What are the moral problems experienced by the on Primary schools?
2. What are the effects of moral instructions on pupils academic development?
3. What are the causes of the moral decadence among pupils in our schools?
4. What are the ways parents help in building sound moral standard on pupils?