EFFECT OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
ABSTRACT
The study researched into effects of moral development on academic performance of students in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Descriptive survey method was made use of to obtain the relevant information from a randomly selected population of 100 students from five selected secondary schools in both Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State Area. The result of the findings revealed that the students of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have been aware on the effect of moral development.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Since the beginning of the world, there has been series of immorality but not until recently, the alarming increasing rate of immorality among the students was discovered.
Immorality is an anti-social behaviour a deviant act and an indictable conduct which is at variance with the established norms of behaviour. It is non-conforming behaviour which usually contravenes the social rules of a community or an institution. This act is synonymous with bad manner, wrongful, distasteful, and irresponsible; in displace hot headed, devil-may- care and some outrageneous behaviour.
The Swiss psychologist Piaget, {1932} on the moral judgment of the child is among the first psychologist whose work remains directly relevant of contemporary theories of moral development and education. From his observation and interviews of children, Piaget concluded that children begin in a “Heteronomous” stage of moral reasoning, characterized by a stick adherence to rules, duties and obedience of authority.
This heteronomy result from two factors the first factor is the Young Child cognitive structure. According to Piaget, the thinking of young children is characterized by egocentrism. Young children are usually to simultaneously take into account their own view of things with the perspective of someone else.
This egocentrism lead children to prevent their own thoughts and wishes onto other. It is also associated with the unidirectional view of rules and power associated with heteronomous moral though and with various forms of “moral realism”. Moral realism is associated with objective responsibility, which is valuing the letter of the law above the purpose of the law. This is why young children are more concerned about the out come of action rater than the intention of the person doing the act. Moral realism is also association with the young child’s belief in immanent justice. This is the expectation that punishment automatically follow acts of wrong doing.
Cases of immorality acts in schools today are very rampant and its is the root cause of other kinds of society misdemeanors like sexual abuse, lack of respect for elders, dishonestly, stealing, examination malpractices, smoking, bulling, lying and host of other vices.
Weatherly {1970} perceived immorality as not been guided by principle of morality and rectitude.
His definition was looked from these angles; firstly, meaning of deviant behaviours pertaining to person is lawless, irregular in sexual habit, unprincipled person, unscrupulous and unconfined person.
Secondly, a deviant behaviour pertaining to conduct, he said when one’s conduct is not directed by moral sense, the person is termed immoral.
Thirdly, immorality that deals with books, pictures, expressing impurity and unholy words.
He concluded by saying a child who is immoral, that is unprincipled, unscrupulous and lawless in all sense as a result of his/her impurity in person, conduct and the books he or she reads.
According to Akinboye {1987} some of the cause of anti-social behaviour among adolescent are traced to be the mass media lack of parental care, peer group influence, sexual behaviour and the environment of the child.
Most children are morally bankrupt supply because of short comings of their parents. The home of child determines greatly the magnitude of his/her moral values. Parents, that are hot tempered, drunkards or who brisker with each other tends to increase the deviant behaviour in their children.
