CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Literature is a universal phenomenon for expression of varied life experiences. It is for the expression of a particular system of words as used by a people or a nation. There are many views on what literature is all about, „a purely human and non-distinctive method of ideas, emotions and experiences which are passed by means of voluntarily produced symbols‟.
Reading literature is an essential activity in human lives that leads to varied experiences. Its importance has been stressed by many writers. Literature gives the individual power to understand the world. Learning through literature means learning to understand words and get their meaning out of them.
Good literary works prepare students for quick, efficient and imaginative reading. Reading diverse literary works can assist the pupil or student acquire the speed and skills needed for practical purposes when leaving school. Further education of every individual is determined, to a large extent, by attitude to literature reading in the right quantity and quality. Sustained interest continues in the investigation of factors which influence the successful reading of different literary works. This is because in spite of the importance attached to reading literature, students at various levels of education show difficulties in their performances in African and non-African prose texts. For instance, studies had shown that secondary school students perform poorly in literature (African and non-African) prose texts.
Examinations in Nigerian Schools dated back to the advent of formal education. The 1987 Education ordinances made provision for public examinations in Schools. Thus, the National Policy of Education stipulated that all Secondary Schools should gear their programmes to meet the requirements of examinations being conducted for Senior School Certificate.
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ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED PROSE TEXTBOOKS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
