CHAPTER ONEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Â BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Mathematics is the study of number and space, it is the language of the new millennium (Peter, 2000). It is the queen of science and technology, also an instrument for scientific and technical growth (Agwagah, 2000). No Nation can progress scientifically and technical without solid foundation in school mathematics (Okafor, 2005). In recent years, for instance, there had been critiques in public places, and in news publications over the low quality of achievement in mathematics in our schools’ notable among the critics are the teachers and parents(Agwagah, 2000). The critics are particularly concerned with the teaching of fundamental mathematics in our schools. They say that most student who have successfully finished secondary school education typically failed mathematics. However, from the view point of national interest a far more significant repercussions of the failure of the pupils to succeed in mathematics effectively is in respect to scientific and technical development that we very much seek in the fulfillment of Millennium Development Goal. We need many skilled physicians, engineers, agricultural scientists, economists, computer programmers and maths instructors(Ugochi, 2010). All these professionals require basic studies in mathematics up to advanced level before they may specialize in these fields(Peter, 2000). According to Oxford advanced learning dictionary; truancy is an act or circumstance being away without permission. Acccording to Merriam (2012),  truancy is an act or occurrence of playing truant: the condition of being truancy (the California lawmakers view truancy in very exact words) (the California legislature view truancy in very precise language). In summary it specifies that a kid missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year shall be categorized as a truancy. According to Sherilyn (2011), that taught  three are numerous explanation of truancy and this has been on of the biggest problems in Nigeria and it is severely influencing the future of the kids. Absence rates have risen as high as 30 percent in certain schools and it is tough for the instructors to do something about this. And this impacts not just the students but their families as well. Consequences are varied as well if they miss to many lessons they will not be able to congratulate on time and they will fall behind their peers and this will affect not only their self-esteem but several other things (Merriam, 2014). All this can improve if teachers together with parents establish solid strategy to interest children who is skipping courses to go back to school. This may be done through discussing and learning about children interests surrounding the school. In places like Ago Ika, Lafenwa, Ita Oshin students run away from school which bring researchers closer to the problem, to find out the consequences of truancy.
1.2Â Â STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMÂ Â
The high prevalence of truancy in town begs for attention (Peter, 2000). It might result to students not achieving very well academically. It might also lead to many sorts of crime, destruction, robbery with violence and abusive behaviour etc. This research would thus investigate.
i. Â What truancy implies.
ii. The reasons of truancy.
iii. The consequences of absenteeism on primary school kids academic  performance in mathematics.
iv. The feasible answer to the problem.
1.3Â Â PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The study’s primary objective is:
i. To investigate truancy.
ii. To explain the reasons for truancy.
iii. To explain the consequences of truancy.
iv. Propose a viable solution to the study’s dilemma.
