THE IMPACT OF TEACHER STRIKE ACTION ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Education is a social tool that allows citizens to control a country's fate and shape its future possibilities. However, education is not solely aimed at perpetuating cultural traditions; it also seeks to facilitate a peaceful and rational transformation of the material underpinnings of civilization (Pervaiz et al., 2015). In addition, education is the process through which knowledge is transmitted from one individual or section of society to another individual or section. Federal Ministry of Education (2013) expressed that secondary education is that aspect of education which children receive after primary education and before the tertiary stage. Also, Gbenu (2012) stated that secondary education is targeted to provide students with the opportunity for education to progress at a higher level irrespective of sex, societal status, religious or ethnic background and the diversified secondary school curriculum to cater for the differences in talents, opportunities and future roles. Moreover, teachers as the frontier in providing the students with the opportunity for education, ensuring that students . Also, Bernard (2022) asserts that teacher is a model and is consciously imitated. According to the National Teacher Institute of Nigeria (2020), a teacher is the pivot of any education system. Nevertheless, the way in which teachers perform their jobs is influenced by a wide range of factors, including internal factors and external factors such as job security, consistency in payment of salaries, respect and recognition, good working condition among others (Abiola, 2009). When these external factors are not met, teachers tends to go on strike or initiate strike actions. Strike action, labour strike or industrial action is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of teachers to work. Strike action usually takes place in response to teachers’ grievances.Also, Saharay, (2013) stated that strike is a collective refusal by employee to work under the conditions required by employers. Strike applies mainly to workers in nearly all industrialized societies. Similarly, teachers strike has negative effects on learning of student. Gabrielle (2014) opined that, strike actions are sometimes used to put pressure on the government and other employers of labour to change policies, enhance implementation or get rid of a policy that negatively affects teachers' well-being while they are employed. According to Olupayimo (2014), strikes generally hinder the learning of fundamental skills and occasionally create impediments to education, destabilizing social activities. Strike action has an impact on secondary school pupils' human development, according to Edinyang and Ubi (2013). The degree of academic success that Nigerian students currently achieve is influenced by the actions and inaction of secondary school teachers.However,these actions cause irregularities in learning as students may have forgotten what they have learnt before the disruption of an academic calendar upon their resumption to school. Similarly, it may also lead to memory lost if what is been learnt is not reactivated overtime. Also, failures can also be recorded in both internal and external examinations. Therefore, a survey will be conducted on impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The goal of a perfect secondary education is to retain the students and help them acquire the skills, values, and other behaviors that contribute to a better society. However, the society has made it harder for people to access this educational medium because strikes frequently occur, as is the case in the majority of Nigerian states. These teacher strikes disrupt the regular teaching schedule, leading to gaps in the coverage of the curriculum. This disruption has left students inadequately prepared for external examinations such as WASSCE, NECO, UTME, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), among others. Similarly, due to the absence of teachers during strike periods, students may not have the opportunity to cover all the topics and content required for the external examinations. This can result in a lack of knowledge and understanding of essential examinable material. Additionally, the uncertainty and stress caused by teacher strikes can negatively impact students' psychological well-being, affecting their ability to focus on exam preparation. According to Michael (2013), lack of guidance and support during the strike can contribute to decreased confidence and preparedness. Furthermore, strikes can sometimes lead to delays in the administration of external examinations, affecting the overall academic calendar. This delay may have consequences for students transitioning to higher levels of education or pursuing further studies. It is in the light of these that the study seeks to examine the impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations. Specifically, the study will;

1.Determine the prevalence of teachers strike action in senior secondary schools.

2.Investigate the underlying factors that contribute to teacher strike action in senior secondary schools.

3.Investigate the impact of the teachers strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. What is the prevalence of teachers strike action in senior secondary schools?

2. What are the underlying factors that contribute to teacher strike action in senior secondary schools?

3. What are the impact of the teachers strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0:There is no significant relationship between teacher strike action and the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations.

H1: There is a significant relationship between teacher strike action and the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations.

1.6 Significant of the Study

The impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations will be revealed to the government at various levels, stakeholders involved in education policies, teachers, school management, media houses and teachers in this study. Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of teacher strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations. Empirically, this study will determine the prevalence of teachers strike action in senior secondary schools, investigate the underlying factors that contribute to teacher strike action in senior secondary schools and the impact of the teachers strike action on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in external examinations.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to secondary school teachers in Ifako Ijaiye local government, Lagos state, Nigeria.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Strike: a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer.

Teacher: a person who impacts knowledge.

Senior Secondary education: the next step up from primary school that occupies important position between primary school to tertiary institutions. It is a bridge between primary school and college or university.

Academic performance: can be conceived as the contribution that employees are expected to make to the organization through their activities (Motowidlo, 2022). Job performance is the product of a combination of an individual’s motivation and ability .

WASSCE: West African Senior School Certificate Examination

NECO: National Examination Council

UTME: Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination