Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Nigerian movies on the academic performance of secondary school student in Barkin local government area in plateau state, watched, time spent, number watched, type watched, parents’ reaction and watch reason on the academic performance of secondary school students in plateau metropolis, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 5 public secondary
schools out of 18 found in the area. A structured questionnaire was administered to students and teachers using systematic and accidental sampling techniques. Data obtained were analyzed using tablessimple percentage method and the taro yamen equation Result on the academic performance of secondary school student
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010) frequently complains on the low quality of education in Nigeria educational system and the resultant effect of poor academic performance among senior secondary school students. Some blame the students for this apparent decline in quality of education and moral values, majority blames the teachers for the woes in our schools, while the teachers shifted the blame on the children and parental attitudes to their children education (Arony & Ogbadu, 2010). Others scholars such Jekayinfa (2007) blamed the government for unattractive condition of service and poor physical facilities in some parts of the system. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that apart from the factors listed as the causes of failure among the secondary school students, the advent of globalization as a result of urbanization and civilization such as access to internet, GSM, Television and Cable, like the African magic, and Nollywood TV, and the wide spread of the impact of Nigeria movies. Network programmes have relegated most students to a mere showbiz and often distracted by series of cartoons and movie activities.
Globalization according to Marwa (1999) is the latest technological effort in reducing the physical distance among nations and societies of the world through information transfer at speed that is hitherto unknown in information technology. Thus the world has therefore become borderless taking into cognizance the flow of information through modern technologies such as the use of internet and electronic mass media (i.e. audio, visual, and audio-visuals gargets and newspapers). In Nigeria,
television as a product of globalization is an important source of educational enlightenment and language acquisition (Naigles & Mayeaux, 2001). Television provides better, sophisticated and diverse information and education. Since students are likely to revert to their mother tongues after school Omojuwa et al., (2009) noted that the television might help to reinforce language skills learnt at school. Thus, its effect on the Nigerian secondary school student, therefore, may depend on the extent to which it is utilized. Television has been variously criticized for negative impact on academic achievement. For instance, Wright and Calleagues (2001) associate high exposure to general audience television with poorer language levels. They attribute these low language scores to programme content rather than time spent watching television programmes.
Omojuwa et al., (2009) opined that general audience programmes are not deliberately designed for instruction but for entertainment. They include soaps, movies, news, documentaries, musicals, sports (football matches), reality television shows, talk shows comedies, cartoons etc. Similarly, television has been accused of displacing reading time and thereby impending intellectual abilities (Winn, 2002). The implication is that when television and reading compete for more time and attention, television
often gains mastery as the more attractive. In other times, this may be true. But in Nigeria, the inadequacy and instability in electricity supply limit the time when television is available and accessible. Thus, one would expect that reading which is less dependent on electricity would maintain
Primacy in spite of television. But this is not so, because there are other programs at viewing centers that could distract student from reading their books, such as playing games (play station 1-3), watching European premier league, champions league, Spanish laliga most especially on weekends when students are meant to revise and read their books and solve their take- home assignment. In analyzing the effect of television viewing on children, Ferri (2009) submitted that children nowadays
as compared before are more exposed to different types of media particularly on the television. They spend most of their time in front of their television sets rather than in reading their books, doing their home-works and mingling with other people etc. Ferri further noted that it has been very alarming that they get most of their attribute through this type
of media. According to Taiwo (2004), though the television sets are used to entertain, to educate and to gain exposure to ideas that may never be encountered in other areas, it has now become a threat to the well-being of children especially on the aspect of their behavior and academic performance. Popoola (2008) in his study “effect of television and radio distractions on undergraduate students’ mathematics test performance” maintained that television significantly affect the performance of student in a mathematics test. Thus television in this context was seen as a distraction during learning. Distraction through television during learning has become a common daily occurrence among secondary school
student across the nation. Many scholars have focused on the effect of distraction on learning or academic achievement among students while studies found some negative effect of distraction on learning and academic achievement. On a general level, distraction may affect learning because, according to the capacity theory, attention can be divided when the brain is exposed to two separate tasks that both require attention (Tina & Melinda, 2007). However, when this happened, one of both tasks either reading or watching television is diminished. Since television is seen as a distraction most especially when they are supposed to focus on their academics, it is important to find out what impact thus television and movie programs has on the student reading and academic performance. This purpose of this study was to examine the joint associations and effects of time watched, time spent, number watched, type watched, parents’ reaction and watch reason on the academic performance of secondary school students.
The value of home movies as a medium of mass communication is esteemed all over the world. In Nigeria there are over one million audiences of home movies films who are affected in one way or another, by the subjects treated in Nigerian home movies. These movies portray message that have Influence on the viewers, mostly, their mode of dressing and academic performance. Movies hold a very special place in the culture of a people. “Movies, like books, are a culturally special medium…an important medium of cultural transmission. (Baran, 2009:75). Studies show that movies contribute to socialization and the transmission of culture (Baran, 2009; Daramola, 2007). Research has shown that there exists a relationship between the mass media and social ills and other behavoural and attitudinal change in the society. For instance, the media are attributed considerable power to shape opinion and belief, change habits, and actively molding behavior and imposing political system even against resistance. In discussing the Influence of home movies on the academic performance of secondary school student in plateau state, it is imperative to mention discourses on media influence. This is because, home movies are a mode of media transmission. In all of researches, the area of media Influence appears to be the most contentious. For one, if the media have no Influence on the society.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLE
Home movies are veritable tools of mass communication, which cut across national and cultural boundaries with wide and fast distributing networks internationally. Home movies are seen as source of entertainment and education, as well as conduit for promoting Nigerian culture. Thus cultural transmission is a major role of the home movies. In the face of media imperialism by foreign media and the over shadowing of Nigeria’s cultural values and manifests, it becomes important to examine the home movies to ascertain if it is influencing the academic performance of secondary school students in plateau state.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study aims at discovering the Influence of home movies on the academic performance of secondary school students in plateau state. Its objectives include:
- To examine if home movies have Influence on academic performance of secondary school students.
- To determine the nature of the Influence on these students.
- To find out if the Influence are positive or negative
- To elucidate the factors responsible for these influences.
- To explore the students’ perception of Nigerian movies
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is relevant for the following reasons: It will determine the type of Influence that home movies have on the on the academic performance of secondary school students and thus guide policy makers and regulatory agencies in providing protection against the production and exposure to movies that negate Nigeria’s cultural values. The study will provide a framework for the fight against media and cultural imperialism where it is discovered that the home movie industry is serving as a stooge. Finally, the study will be beneficial to students and mass media students because it will expose them to the theory on the Influences that could be exerted via the media.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Studies on media Influence show that there are various behavioural and attitudinal Influences that could be exerted by the media- vis-à-vis home movies. However, this study restricts it self to the Influence of Nigerian movies on the academic performance of secondary school students in plateau state. Other behavoural or attitudinal characteristics that could subsequently be investigated on, include, home movies Influence on pattern of speech; pattern of language and relationship, etc.
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology that is adopted in the study. It includes: the research design, population size, sample size, sampling technique, model specification, nature and sources of data and the analytical techniques that will be applied.
1.7 DEFINATION OF TERMS
HOME MOVIE
Home movies: This is any pre-recorded media films played and viewed by people with their movie players in their homes or movie clubs. These films are viewed with the aid of a TV set which is connected to the movie machine. They are recorded on movie tape, disc or DVD.
Influence:
This is the impact some thing or someone has on something or some one else. This could be positive or negative
Secondary school: A secondary school, often referred to as a high school or a senior high school, is a school which provides secondary education, between the ages of 11 and 19 depending on location, after primary school and before higher education In Nigeria, secondary school starts from JSS1(7th grade) until SSS3(12th grade). Most students start at the age of 10 or 11 and finish at 17 or 18. Students are required to sit for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). To progress to university students must obtain at least a credit in Maths, English and three other subjects in WASSCE.
