CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

According to Chigie (2001), the family as agent of socialization could have significant Influence on the child. This is evident from the fact that it is the first place where the child learns about leadership basic skills and behavior patterns have to be taught by parents at home. The school as an agent of socialization and training institution for which deviant behavior is a problem.

Our society is also with an acute problem which also affects the society at large. The school as an organization should be able to deliver citification services which are geared towards the betterment of the government and society such as the ability to teach moral honesty, regularity, loyalty and dedication.

Michael’s (2004) defined deviant behavior as that type of behavior that is contrary to norms and rules of the society. Uganda society today is developing therefore it requires education system that will ensure her development hence the Uganda education system must stimulate the patriotism and lay a solid foundation for national and international understanding and cooperation in children. This due to the fact that the education of the youth is very important in order to ensure the citizens to the social and economic development of the country as well as raising the standards of living generally.

According to Acheribach (2000), the deviant behavior does not have a negative impact on children’s psychosocial adjustment and development only, but it may also disturb the school environment and disorganize the flow of educational process.

Academic performance is defined as students’ progress, understood as the level of learning, comprehension and consolidation of school curriculum Singleton (2003). Academic performance is influenced by many psychological, family, school and social factors. It has been found that the psychological factors that may influence academic performance include intrinsic motivation, competence, control and self-esteem, Rulter (2002).

The family factor attitudes and beliefs towards schooling, parental expectations of academic success, parental supervision and education, family situation, discipline practices and family stressors such as poverty, homelessness, illness etc. The most prominent school factors are generally school climate, comprehensive curriculum plans, school wide assessment, specific school best programs, social skills and interventions, teachers

Pedagogical skills and teachers believes or t altitudes. Finally, the social factors refer to socio-economic status, culture and utilization of leisure time

The researcher understands deviant behavior as lack of control in behavior of individual or group of people. It is an anti-social behavior which goes against the society accepted values and norms.

Deviant is of two types social and individual

Social deviant is seen in violence, riots, killings, rape, and fighting and drug abuse and so on.

Individual deviant includes assaults, truancy bad language (verbal abuse), bullying and stealing.

Any institution’s administration is incomplete without consideration of the learners’ behavior. The true object of reproof is gained only when he or she does to and is guided to see his or her mistake the individual is enlisted for its correction.

In most of the developed countries, the maintenance of discipline is crucial especially in secondary schools.

For example, three years back in United States of America (USA) the school dropout rate for students with behavior disorders was 42% United States of America development (2000)

A survey of young school going children in Australia found that between 4O%-60% of girls surveyed had homophobic feeling. Youth studies Australia 1996.

During the 20th century movement known as the free expression movement became popular in Europe and spread to United States of America. According to the movement the child was considered to be naturally good to present children in the developed countries for example Europe not taking commands, rules or any other form of manmade restrictions seriously.

Most of countries in Africa have had a series of challenges for example civil wars that have taken children’s hope of future better life away leaving them to be children and youth with no hope of a good future.

Contextual background

Contextually, the study will examine in most of our secondary schools in Buea sub-division, and a comparative analysis with the outside world. Looking at the topics, the effect of deviant behavior on the academic performance of students in some secondary school in Buea municipality, deviant behavior really cut across from the globe to Cameroon in particular.

Some communities in Cameroon may create problems sometimes when peer influence each other to participate in deviant activities. For instance, several studies have revealed connection between peer influence and substance abuse (Flannery et al; 1994, Dielman; 1994), cigarette smoking, gambling practices in school such as playing of cards, draft, football for money, and other money related games especially in the Molyko neighborhood where majority of its population are students who are adolescents (Newman; 1984) and early sexual behavior (Duncan-Risks; 1992).

In the Buea municipality especially the Molyko neighborhood is known for all manner of deviant behavior, ranging from scamming, occultism, bullying, juvenile delinquency, retreatism as a result of peer influence or other personal related reasons due to stubbornness, drug abuse, alcoholism, noise making, inattention, fighting, loitering about, molesting fellow students, rape, rioting, gangstarlism, and such likes are common among students especially in some private schools and even government technical high school such as G.T.H.S Molyko commonly known for the deviancy in school.

In adolescence, a foundation for identity is led (Brian and Kenny; 1994, Parker and Asher; 1993). Peers who enjoy positive relationships with other children appear to experience levels of emotional well-being, belief about psychosexual theory of Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1936).

When deviance persists, especially in the form of verbal abuse of teachers, disruptive classroom behavior, noncompliance with school rules and regulations, teachers and students cannot function effectively. Deviance, when left unchecked erodes the very system which is charged with the responsibility of fostering and developing responsible, caring and intelligent individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.

As such, a concerted effort must be made by stakeholders to arrest the problem of deviance as it exists today in our country Cameroon in general and Buea municipality in particular, if a more progressive and prosperous society is to be re-built. Most of the observed deviant behaviors attract punishment can range from kneeling down, taking some strokes of the cane, suspension, manual labour especially in government schools, among others. Such punishments waste students time and stop them from participating in learning or other classroom activities. Theoretical background

When it comes to explaining crime and deviance, there are a couple of theories that sociologist always teach and one of them is Merton’s strain theory. Robert Merton (1910-2003) was probably the foremost American Sociologist. His strain theory start with the general assumption that socialist provide both culturally value goals and culturally valued means. The goals are based on shared assumption in a society about what people should strive.

Statement of the problem

One of the issues of global concern in effective school administration is handling students’ deviant behavior. Within secondary schools in Buea municipality there are several complaints by teachers, parents and the general public of deviant behavior of students including noise making, inattention, fighting, loitering about, molesting fellow students, gambling, retreatism, bullying riots, rape, drug abuse, truancy among others threatening and intimidating and waylaying classmates.

Deviant behaviors in school can damage the school’s reputation both locally and internationally. A school where disruptive behavior predominates becomes dysfunctional, making it difficult for teaching and learning to go on smoothly. An unsafe school environment is an eye sour to any visitor and an inhibitor of effective learning and teaching.

Deviant behaviors in secondary schools contributes a lot of disastrous to learning, deviant behaviors may also result in countries being relegated to academic oblivion. The study would therefore base on finding out the common cases in secondary school students in Buea municipality and try to look for ways of curbing them.

This would shade light on some important aspects of some of challenges which create area controversy between the learners and stakeholders. In view of the above mention backdrops, it was deemed necessary to find out if deviant behavior would have any significant influence on the students’ academic performance in the Buea municipality.

Objectives of the Study

General objective

To examine the effect of deviant behavior on academic performance of secondary school students in the Buea municipality.

Specific objectives

1. To examine the impacts of gambling on the performance of secondary school student in Buea municipality
2. To examine the impact of Retreatism on academic performance of secondary school students in the Buea municipality.
3. To investigate the extent to which bullying affects academic achievement of secondary school.
4. To examine the effect of truancy on academic achievement of schools

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