ABSTRACT
This study is conducted on the impact of motivation on the academic performance of students in Business Education. Focus on the Shomolu local government area of Lagos state as a case study.
The major objectives of this study were to determine the role of motivation on the academic of performance of students in Business Education.
Also the knowledge skills acquired by the students of Business Education in secondary schools. To achieve this objective, survey method was used, five research questions were raised, and the total of 347 questionnaires made up of 282 students and 65 teachers were administered. In analyzing the data, simple percentages were used and responses analyzed with the aid of table. Based on the findings, it was resolve that student neglect the course of “Motivation”, however, there is need for proper orientation, workshops, seminars and awareness to the students in Business Education to avoid them not to neglect the course (Motivation). It also reviews that students acquired the knowledge of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in Business Education. It was therefore, recommended that proper awareness on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation should be created.
The study was concluded that the role of motivation on the academic performance of students in Business Education plays a vital role in sustaining Business Education learning in the classroom.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The issue of academic performance in business education in our secondary schools has become the concern of parents, government and every citizen in our society. It is evident by the level of failure in the junior secondary certificates examination and other examination results taken in Business Studies in Nigeria.
According to the National policy on Education (2004), Business education known as business studies at the secondary school level is splited into the following components or subject areas: shorthand, office practice, book-keeping and typewriting at the Junior Secondary School level while at the Senior Secondary School level we have Shorthand, Typewriting, Business Education, Commerce and Accounts.
In the National policy on education of (2004), it was stated that the preparation of the individual to fit into his society and train his mind to understand the world around him is one of the goals of education. Based on this, the students must be motivated to learn and become part of the learning process in the school. By being motivated in various ways such as the use of appropriate teaching aids for example typewriter to teach typewriting lesson, the use of good teaching methods, good classroom management. (Alaba Olaleken 2002), with all these, the students will put in more efforts as their interest is stimulated.
The present system of education makes provision for business studies at the Junior Secondary level. Consequently, a large number of the students enrol for these subjects in both the junior secondary school examinations.
Business studies subjects should be taught by well qualified and knowledgeable teachers in the area of the subject matter. Parents and students need to be well informed about relevance of each subject being taught in the secondary schools. This will encourage or motivate students to study harder especially those who have interest in such career.
Having identified some of the factors that could motivate students at the secondary schools level, the next question that comes to the mind is who is largely responsible for the task of motivating students to take up each subject being taught in their various schools? It is of course the teacher.
Here the governments together with the parents and the general public on several occasions have attributed the poor students performance in business studies to teacher’s nonchalant attitude to work (Ali, 2003).
The concise Oxford Dictionary (2000), defined a teacher as “one who gives lessons especially at school” therefore the teacher is expected to achieve the National objective of education by directing the learning of students and at the same time motivating them to take up subjects that will be of use to them in future.
Therefore, the classroom management by the teacher should be done effectively to achieve the stated objectives.
It could be seen that motivation is one of the essential tools for behavioral modification or social control in the instructional procedure of informing and explaining the question. Therefore, business studies teachers need to demonstrate high sense of dedication and commitment to the teaching of the subject to reflect the high performance place on it as a core subject by the Federal government.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The performance of students in Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE) in business studies is appalling. Various factors have been adduced for poor performance of students in the subject area. The interest of students in business education, students task orientation and skill acquisition, students personality and self concept (more 1973), feeling of inadequacy (Callahan, 1971), shortage of qualified teachers (Ohuche, 1970), poor facilities, equipment and instructional materials for effective teaching (Oshibodu, 1984 and Akpan, 1987).
