Abstract

The main objective of this research was to find out how “family backgrounds affect students’ schooling in secondary schools in the Buea Municipality. The study had as specific objectives to find out the effects of education level of parents on students schooling, the effects of income level of parents on students schooling and effect of parent’s occupation on students’ schooling. The study adopted a survey research design. The targeted population of the study was 6894, the accessible population was 698 and the sample size was 100 students. They were selected using simple random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was students’ questionnaire. Data obtained from the investigation was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The findings of the research show that family background influences students schooling. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made; (a) The school administration should endeavor to advice parents during P.T.A meeting to take necessary care of their children by providing their school needs. (b) The government should ensure that all schools even in rural areas, have equipped libraries so that students from poor family background may acquire knowledge since they can’t afford text books since this has a significant effect on students’ schooling. (c) Students on their part should have positive attitudes towards school and strive to succeed by enduring whatever situation they find themselves.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Generally, the school has become an indispensable agent of the transmission of knowledge and skills around the world. This chapter seeks to explain the background of the study, identify and give a statement of the problem(s) encountered. It equally deals with the purpose and significance of the study, clearly stating its specific objectives with some specific general research questions inclusive. The chapter further brings out the operational definition of some key terms as used in the research such as; family background, income, educational level of parents, parent’s occupation, influence. Finally, concludes with the summary of the chapter.

Background of the study

Education and schooling go hand in hand, so many people get the terms education and schooling mixed up but education and schooling are not the same thing. Schooling is one of the places where education takes place and it is the way to obtain formal education. According to Darrow miller and Friends.com, schooling relates schedules structure information and education builds character, develops wisdom, growth learning

According to Ebot (2014), Education is a systematic process through which a child or an adult acquires knowledge, experience, skill and sound attitudes. One of the many definitions of education considers education as the sum total of all the processes through which a person develops attitudes, abilities and forms of behavior that have positive value for himself and the society in which he lives. In informal societies, every adult is a teacher and most activities are school. But in formal schooling where education is imparted, there is more organization. There are specialized and well-trained individuals known as teachers and there are equally well-organized and structured curriculums to be follow. Also, special structures are put up where learners or student are expected to sit conveniently and be taught. These types of institutions are governed by a set of rules and regulation to maintain discipline, peace, order, and to create an environment that is conducive for learning.

However, setting up institutions of school, employing teachers and putting in place school rules and regulations is one thing and sending children to school and actually keeping them there is another. In other words, neither the nature of the school nor the quality of the teachers employed nor even the nature of school rules can singly keep the child in school. These and other factors seem to be required to be put together in acceptable proportion so that the learner or students develop the interest not only of going to school but doing so whenever required and staying there for as long as required.

It has been noticed that absenteeism is rampant among pupils and students, which means that they either do not go to school regularly or do not stay there for as long as they are expected. Certain factors seem to be at the origin of this behavior and it would appear that the factors are not only inherent in the children themselves but can be traced back to their homes. This situation is preoccupying and worth studying.

Statement of the problem

The general purpose of school is to transfer knowledge and prepare young people to participate in Cameroon’s democratic society. According to Levin (2001) education inherently serves both public and private interests. It addresses public interests by preparing the young to assume adult roles that promote civic responsibility, embrace a common set of economic and political values, and share a common language. Education serves private interests in promoting individual development, understanding, and productivity that contribute to adult productivity and wellbeing.

Unfortunately, it has been noticed that though many children attain the school going age, but the number of children that goes to school and actually stays there seems to be reducing. Many are those who go to school irregularly or hardly pass a whole day in school. This study therefore seeks to investigate the influence of Family Background on children’s schooling in some selected schools in Buea Municipality.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to find out how family background (educational level of parents, income level of parents and parents’ occupation) affects students’ schooling

Specific objectives of the study

The objectives of the study are to find out;

1. The extent to which educational level of parents affect students’ schooling
2. The extent to which income level of the parents affects students’ schooling?
3. The extent to which parents’ occupation affects students’ schooling

General Research Question

How does the family back ground affects students’ schooling?

In order that the general research question is easily and well verified, it needs to be broken down in to simpler parts known as the specific research questions.

Specific Research Questions

1. How does educational level of parents affect students’ schooling?
2. How does the income level of parents affect students ‘schooling?
3. How does parents’ occupation affect students’ schooling?

Significance of the Study

This work will be of greater Significance to various groups of people; The parents, students, school administration, and the government. The investigator practically expects that this study serves as an eye opener to parents and school authorities with regard to the respective role parents have to play in encouraging children to attend school. Society as a whole stand to benefit if through the suggestions in this work parents and school authorities succeed in their task. This is because more children will go to school and more worthwhile and useful members of the society will be produced. Consequently, crime rate will be reduced.

The investigator also expects that this study will help teachers and the school authority to understand the importance of family background on student’s schooling. Theoretically, this study will contribute in its own little way, to the increase of knowledge that has already been discovered and stored on this field of study. Potential reader may use the work to solve similar problem in their areas and further research topic can be drawn from it.

Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to the influence of the family background (educational level of parents, parents’ income level and prenatal occupation), and their effects on students’ schooling for some selected secondary schools in the Buea Municipality.