Abstract
Many colleges worldwide suspended classroom teaching due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and switched to online teaching. The study examine the effect of Covid-19 on the academic performance of student in English language with emphasis on Angel Crown international school. The population of the study consist of three hundred (300) teachers and student which the researcher use a simple random sampling technique in ascertaining the sample size. A structured questionnaire, titled the ‘effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the academic performance of students Questionnaire’ (ECPAPSEQ) was used for obtaining information for the study. Simple random techniques were used to select the sample size. The reliability of the instrument was determined through the test re-test method. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
In Nigeria, the Federal government announced the indefinite postponement of the 2020 West African Examination Council and the National Examinations Council (NECO) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is depressing. The statistics are scary and the consequences are severe. The numbers are unprecedented and the implications are enormous. Never before have so many children and youths been out of school at the same time. The consequences are better imagined. Even before the current closure of schools, the world was already experiencing a global learning crisis, as many students, who, even while the school system was in full swing, were not learning the fundamental skills needed for life, (World Bank 2020).The closure of schools has now further compounded the situation with remarkable impacts on students, teachers, families and far-reaching economic and social consequences. In many countries like Nigeria, poor children rely on the school feeding system for their only meal for the day. But with schools now forced to close, millions of children are missing out on these meals. Many social vices are associated with youths not actively engaged in schooling. Children and youths who are not in school are more susceptible to social vices such as alcoholism, substance abuse and other forms of criminal activities. Early marriage and child labour are also some of the consequences of school closures. In an attempt to positively engage the children and also ensure that they are not left behind in their learning journey, many countries including Nigeria have adopted online teaching and learning, using radio, television and internet solutions to support access to education. In order to provide another window for learning, UNESCO through its COVID-19 Education response, floated a platform tagged Learning Never Stops, to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for children and youths during this period of sudden disruption in the school system. Recently, the Ministry of Education in Nigeria uploaded on its website electronic learning resources and education chat rooms for the thirty-six states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory, for continuing education and individualized learning for children at home. Laudable as these initiatives appear, they cannot be compared to classroom based instructions and the benefit to the very poor children who rely on schools not only for education, but also for food, healthcare and safety. Moreover, these efforts may not achieve the set objectives, given the limited access of poor children to television, electricity, internet and other equipment needed to take advantage of the e-learning platforms.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Several governmental measures have been taken to counteract the risk of disease spreading. These measures include travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines for travelers, social distancing, bans on public gatherings, schools and universities closure, business closures, self-isolation, asking people to work at home, curfews, and lockdown (Bedford JP, Gerry S, Hatch RA, Rechner I, Young JD, Watkinson PJ. 2020). Authorities in several countries worldwide have declared either lockdown or curfew as a measure to break the fast spread of virus infection (Paital B, Das K, Parida SK. 2020). These measures have a negative worldwide effect on the business, education, health, and tourism. COVID-19 pandemic has affected all levels of the education system. Educational institutions around the world (in 192 countries) have either temporarily closed or implemented localized closures affecting about 1.7 billion of student population worldwide. It is in view of this that the researcher intend to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on student academic performance.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the academic performance of student English language; the specific objective of the study are;
- To examine the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the academic performance of secondary school student
- To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and student academic performance in English language
- To examine the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the operation of secondary school
- To explore the impact of Covi-19 on student academic performance in Nigeria.
- RESEARCH QUESTION
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
- Does Covid-19 pandemic have any effect on the academic performance of secondary school student?
- Is there any significant relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and student academic performance in English language?
- Is there any effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the operation of secondary schools?
- Is there any impact of Covi-19 on student academic performance in English language in Nigeria?
- RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study:
H0: There is no significant relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and student academic performance in English language
H1: There is a significant relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and student academic performance in English language
H0: Covid-19 pandemic does not have any effect on the academic performance of secondary school student in English language
H2: Covid-19 pandemic does have an effect on the academic performance of secondary school student
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study was motivated in order to explore the dynamics of the changing economic. It highlights the uncontrollable risks that confronts schools operators often. This knowledge is relevant for both private and public school owners and operators. The study is relevant to individuals and organizations in the education sector. This is because it presents them with facts and figures arising from the quandary beclouding the sector. This knowledge will aid them in making provision for future unpredictability embedded in the sector. This study however, is a contribution to the body of knowledge as it documents relevant ideas useful to covid-19 pandemic.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study focuses on the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the academic performance of student in English language.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study may not be inferred on all institutions of learning in Nigeria. This is because the study is limited to selected persons in selected secondary school. This research gap can be closed by carrying out broader studies, capturing the entire educational sector and the country at large. The other constrain to the scope of the study are;
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work
a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Covid-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Academic performance
Academic performance is the measurement of student achievement across various academic subjects. Teachers and education officials typically measure achievement using classroom performance, graduation rates and results from standardized tests
Student
A student is primarily a person enrolled in a school or other educational institution and who is under learning with goals of acquiring knowledge, developing professions and achieving easy employment at a particular field.
English language
English is a West Germanic language first spoken in early medieval England, which has become the leading language of international discourse in the 21st century
1.10 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study
