THE CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF SCHOOL LATENESS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Lateness to school by secondary school students has become a recurring concern throughout the years. This is likely why Chujor (2014) stated that school officials, teachers, parents, and others have expressed genuine worry. Chujor stated that a variety of steps had been implemented to reduce the recurrence, including whipping and sanctioning. In summary, pupils' frequent tardiness to school may be one of the factors contributing to Nigeria's declining educational standards. If tardiness to school is permitted to persist, it may have a negative effect on the achievement of the Universal Basic Education goals (UBE). The UBE program, according to the Federal Government of Nigeria, is aimed at attaining the following goals: instilling in the general public a strong awareness of the importance of education and a strong commitment to its aggressive promotion, Providing free universal basic education to all Nigerian children of school age, By improving the quality and efficiency of the formal education system, we can substantially reduce the number of students who drop out. Without a question, discipline is required for any school to fulfill its primary responsibility of educating kids. According to Agbenyega (2012), this is vital since it creates the conducive environment for teaching and learning. Punctuality and regularity of kids in school are examples of discipline. Learners may only benefit fully from the academic program if they are present in school and at the appropriate times. According to Ankoma (2015), kids who arrive on time to school are more likely to participate in all school programs and activities, as well as benefit fully from morning hour classes such as English Language and Mathematics. Latecomers are also flogged and subjected to various punishments (such as toilet cleaning, sweeping, and gardening) that cause them agony and prevent them from attending morning sessions, according to the authors. Recurring tardiness to school, according to Van-Breda (2006), can have a negative impact on pupils' academic performance and, if not addressed, can affect to major difficulties in later life. Lateness to school, on the other hand, can be excused in some instances, according to Chujor (2014), if the causes are valid and beyond the student's control. According to Manguvo (2011), there is a significant incidence of indiscipline among learners at all levels of the Nigerian educational system, with the most prevalent student behavior issues being stealing, not doing homework, and being late. Lateness to school began a long time ago, and has spread around the world in an uncontrollable manner in recent years (Chareka, 2012). The problem of lateness has engulfed Nigerian youngsters, and the issue of students arriving late to school has now become a national issue. Arriving late simply implies arriving later than intended. Children frequently miss school or arrive late due to their usual habits, such as waking up late due to laziness: rushing of undone assignments, unprepared bath, breakfast or meals, clothes, their pack lunch, and waiting for companions or friends to arrive at school when the bus is late; and sometimes due to some problems in their parents that affect them and interest in coming to school seeing their with misunderstandings (George, 2008). They would be embarrassed to come to school if they saw their classmates having something they did not have. Lateness is described by the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary as coming after the scheduled or typical hour (Whitney, 2011). Lateness is the polar opposite of earlyness since it occurs after the right, fixed, normal, or expected time. The issue now is, what are the factors that cause students to be late to school? Authorities have questioned why students arrive late to school. However, they have not been able to conduct in-depth study into this issue in order to provide remedies and recommendations that would aid in the treatment of the condition. This research will concentrate on the effects that contribute to a student's tardiness, with the goal of finding a solution to the problem.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Lateness among students is on the rise and expanding. In our cultures, there is a manner that cannot be regulated everywhere. The study's goal is to take a thorough look at the factors that contribute to it. The significance of this cannot be overstated in the learning process. Research has shown that children who are habitually late arrivers seldom perform well academically. This is because they are extremely likely to miss certain phases in the teaching/learning process prior to their arrival (Manguvo, 2011). Their learning will affect as a result of this. Despite the efforts of teachers and school officials to resolve the issue, the problem persists. In an attempt to figure out what was causing the children's tardiness, the instructors blamed it on the parents, while the parents are holding the teacher hostage. To some, the children themselves, as well as peer group influence, are to blame. As the factors that cause lateness are discovered and recommendations are made, it is expected that solutions to this problem will be presented as a consequence of this study (Chujor, 2014). The youngsters will be better led and given more options for dealing with their challenges, as well as living up to their reputation as nice children. Furthermore, this research will benefit the nation since the children will acquire a sense of timeliness at school and become excellent citizens in the future.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The goal of this study is to look at the factors that cause students to be late to school and to address the problem by offering possible suggestions, recommendations, and solutions that are related to students being late to school.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

i.Is the distance between the students' homes and the school a factor in their tardiness?

ii. Does being late to school result from being late to get up in the morning?

iii. Does a parent's failure to prepare food on time lead to tardiness at school?

iv. Does the high demand for essential school supplies in the morning cause students to be late for school?

v. Does a teacher's tardiness to school affect a student's tardiness to school?

vi. Does a lack of proper repercussions for tardiness contribute to school tardiness?

vii. Does waiting for friends to get ready cause you to be late for school?

viii. Does hawking in the morning before getting ready for school cause students to be late?

ix. Does playing on the way to school cause students to be late?

x. Does being late to school result from poor academic performance?

1.5 SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY

After this research is completed, students and parents will be exposed to the numerous factors that cause students to be late to school, as well as the appropriate measures that must be taken to eliminate this negative habit.

This research will assist parents in motivating their children to arrive at school early, which will boost the individual's academic achievement. It will also assist them to be disciplined at school and in the future.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research is being conducted in a few primary schools in Lagos State's Epe local government area.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

FACTORS: - These are the factors that influence a student's behavior and development, such as the physical circumstances in the classroom.

LATENESS: - This refers to students arriving late to class on a daily basis.

PEER INFLUENCE: This refers to a youngster's terrible company, which has an impact on how the child acts, behaves, and thinks.

PARENTAL IGNORANCE: - This refers to certain parents' poor attitudes about information and the necessity of providing their children with an education. This is due to their lack of understanding of the rapidly changing world of science and technology in which they live.

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