Abstract

Education is a fundamental human right and a key input in the production and development of an economy. Learning materials refer to instructional materials are materials or tools locally made or imported that could make tremendous enhancement of lesson impact is intelligently used.

The study investigated the importance of learning materials in boosting the academic performance of students in public schools, Buea municipality. Specifically, it sought to investigate the role of the school libraries in boosting the academic performance of students in public schools, to investigate the role of family background in boosting student’s academic performance, and to investigate the role of classroom resources in boosting student’s academic performance in public secondary schools. Data was collected purposively, with the use of a questionnaire, from a sample population of 40 students. The study employed a descriptive study design.

Data were descriptively analysed from the questionnaire by calculating frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics were also employed, using the Spearman Rho Correlation coefficient. Findings revealed that school library has a significant role on student’s academic performance (R=0.532, P = 0.002); family background has a significant role effect on student’s academic performance (R= 0.674, P = 0.027); learning resources has a significant role on student’s academic performance (R= 0.896, P = 0.001). By implication, learning materials is of great importance in boosting student’s academic performance.

It was recommended that parents should avail some learning materials for their children to use at home. It was further recommended that every educational institution should own a library. The study recommends that the government should budget sufficient funds for improving the availability of instructional materials in all secondary schools.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Learning materials are essential and significant tools needed for teaching and learning school subjects to promote teacher’s efficacy and improve student’s performance. When learners are presented with these learning tools to effectively used them, are capable of captivating students’ interest, stimulate desires in learning and make them an active participant.

According to Mba, (2004), student’s academic performance would be positively influenced when the family is actively involved in their children education. Apart from school materials other factors can affect learner’s performance for instance classroom resources, library, and family background. The theory that cut across this study is the sociocultural of teaching, learning, and development by Lev Vygotsky (1934).

This study will be made up of five chapters. Chapter one is an introduction of the whole study which includes, the history conceptual, and contextual background justification of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, delimitation of the study, and operational definition of terms. Chapter two consists of three main sections, the first deals with a review of the literature.

The second aspect of this work consists of the theoretical framework and theories such as the sociocultural of teaching, learning, and development by Lev Vygotsky (1934), Theory of instruction by Jerome Bunner (1966), and Robert Gagne’s conditions of learning (1965). The population of the study, a sample of the study, instrumentation, validity of the instrument, reliability. Chapter three covers a detailed description of research methodology, research design, area of the study, instrument, administration of instrument, the procedure for data analysis, and ethical considerations. Chapter four involves data analysis, interpretation, and discussion of research findings. Chapter five provides a summary of findings, conclusion recommendations, and areas for further research. It involves testing the hypothesis, interpreting, and giving possible solutions for further research and references.

Background of the study

Historically, learning materials can be traced as far back as the post–colonial area. The English Baptist Mission opened the first formal Western type of educational establishment in Bimbia by Joseph Merrick in 1844. Before the coming of the missionaries Africans had their own form of education which was mostly on oral tradition, folk tales, and their curriculum at the time was not documented, as such they had classrooms, but this formal education was based mostly on practical life lessons in the various classrooms according to their traditions which were past from generation to generation according to Sifuna and Otiende2010.

The history of the library can be traced from the period of Antiquity 900-700 B.C. where materials were made up of clay tablets. The later part of the 19th century marked the beginning of the American library association (ALA) in 1876 by a group of librarians lead by Melvil Dewey. The role of the library in school provides reading and literacy capabilities, abilities, and enjoyment of reading for pleasure for learning across multiple platforms, communication, and dissemination of textbooks in its multiple forms and modes to enable the development of meaning and understanding.

Family background can be traced as far back as the creation of man and the world at large. The history of the family emerged as a separate field in the 1970s, with close ties to anthropology, which has also been a vital aspect in children’s lives as they study and has been evident in many homes where parents encourage and motivate these children to study hard.

The history of classroom resources can be traced as far back when started when parents prepare a room for toddlers with all types of learning materials in them.  The ministry of secondary education introduced these materials charts, pens computers, and graphs in the classroom environment in 1978 but went operational in 2001. Textbooks have also been written and validated by the National Book Commission to facilitate the teaching-learning process Republique 2007 cited in Mbagwana 2008. These resources are essential tools in the acquisition of reading skills and creativity in students when available.

Conceptually, Nwachukwu 2006 sees learning resources as help to students to construct more than superficial knowledge that is building in depth knowledge on a particular subject and develop their individual learning strategies, values attitudes, and generic skills within an instructional situation. While Elliot 2015 holds that learning resources are brought in to play along the line to enhance educational achievement and goals of both the students and teachers especially on the path of the students in multidimensional learning, built abilities to apply their knowledge when using them.

According to Aijahran 2007 see school library has an active and leading role in the educational process, where it helps students continue education effectively so that they can learn by themselves which bears the slogan ‘’learn how to teach yourself and search for information’’. While Tougan 1995 views them as a study room which enhances the school curriculum and subject which provides a comprehensive and balanced information resource relevant to the activities of the individual users.

Glatthorn and jail all 2000 see classroom resources as a reliable tool use to provide important opportunities for students to explore ideas, knowledge collaborate, solve problems, and develop knowledge and skills. On the other hand, Esu 1995 asserted that the aim of learning materials is to increase the effectiveness of teaching as a means of preparing learners for future responsibilities as adults.

According to Venkatesh 1999 see family background as activities in which parents look for possible ways to influence their children’s schooling performance, make an investment of time and serve as their role models and set objectives, the educational level of the parent is a key determinant of student motivation to study. While Lumsden 2004 holds that when students are raised in an in-home that nurtures a sense of self-worth, competence, autonomy, and self-efficacy, they will be more apt to accept the risks inherent in learning.

Contextually, Tambo 2012 recounts that learning materials are now available to some extent in Cameroon, some of which include television that can be used to teach spelling and pronunciation. Most schools in the Buea municipality has started using learning materials to ease understanding of students and to motivate them while other schools are still neglecting the use of these learning objectives to increase performance as a result when absent lead to failure of test and exams of students especially in subjects like Mathematics and Geography.

The survey done by Tateng 2007 on learning materials in Africa, he recounts that Cameroon is among the African countries in central Africa that are making progress in the use of these materials for example communication and information technology (ICT), these materials were introduced in the educational sector by Terry. F in 2001 which he says the best way for effective learning is to provide real object such as flashcards, radio, and computer with internet to support classroom teaching, also textbooks, photograph, chart is also used to facilitate learning.

Statement of the problem

Learning materials are an especially important aspect of the teaching-learning process. While on practicum two (2) in PCSS Buea Town and my past experiences while on an internship in the teacher training college, I have realized that most schools in the Buea municipality do not use instructional materials as teaching aids like charts audio-visual aids and electronic devices for the teaching and learning process which are very essential for effective teaching. It is in this light of the above that this study focuses the attention on the utilization of print, visual aid, real objects in increasing students’ academic performance.

Objectives of the study

Main objectives

To find out the effect of learning materials and its importance in boosting students’ performance

Specific objectives

1. To investigate the role of school library in boosting the academic performance of students in public schools
2. To investigate the role of family background in boosting student’s academic performance.
3. To investigate the role of classroom resources in boosting student’s academic performance in public secondary schools.