CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
One of the objectives of secondary education in Nigeria is to equip students with a desire for achievement of self realization at both school and in future (National Policy on Education 1985).
Evans (1991) stated just as we can arrange for our children to acquire particular information and to learn particular skills, se we can arrange for them to acquire particular interest and attitude.
Interest related to memory which is the feeling that one have when he or she wants to learn more about something. It is a sure way of determining success in academic performance in most schools. If the person does not have the interest and readiness to acquire proficiency in a field he or she is not likely to achieve any great success. This is so because the person will not have the necessary drive because the person will not have the necessary drive required to train himself or herself.
Akinsanya (1985) stated that, interest is always associated with cognitive elements as follows. One has got to develop the right attitude and aptitude for Biology or else one soon becomes frustrated by the ease with which factual information, and this is overwhelming escape one’s memory. This forms the basic for this research undertaking, to investigate the student’s interest in Biology and performance in selected secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
At present, the performance of students in Biology in secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as well as Nigeria in general. This apparent poor and disappointing performance call for adequate attention to address the problem.
The poor results of Biology are attributed to lack of interest on the part of students, and teachers, poor laboratory facilities, the phobia of Biology as one of the science subjects, wrong approach to Biology by some teachers or peer group influence as well as the vast nature of the subject matter.
The study is therefore designed to investigate students’ interest and their performance in Biology.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1. The primary purpose of this study is to find out the relationship between interest of students and performance in Biology
2. It is aimed at determining whether the failure in Biology can be attributed to the inadequacy of laboratory facilities.
3. It is also aimed at finding out if wrong perception of some Biology teaches can lead to lack of interest in Biology.
1.4 Significance of the Study
1. On completion of this study, it will contribute to the general knowledge about students’ attitude towards science subject especially Biology.
2. The findings will be useful and valuable to parents, policy makers, planners in education and the society at large in counseling their students and directing their energies to area where they have demonstrate interest.
3. Hence, it is believed that the findings of this study would be pertinent for a wider-range of educational circumstance especially science educational programmes and researchers on performance in science of its practical importance.
