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Examination Grade Pursuit As A Determinant Of Students Reading Attitude In The Tertiary Institutions
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Reading,
one of the most fundamental building blocks of learning, is a process
that requires the use of complex thought processes to interpret printed
symbols as meaningful units, and to comprehend them as a thought unit in
order to understand a printed message (Aina, Ogungbemi, Adigun, &
Ogundipe, 2011, p. 1; Onuoha, Unegbu, & Umahi, 2013, p. 2). In other
words, reading is a process of decoding symbols in order to derive or
construct meaning. Reading is, therefore, vital for everyday activities
of being better informed, sharpening and shaping the mind, rational and
objective reasoning leading to greatness in life. Reading is also said
to be an encapsulating process which is integrative in nature, and which
affects the reader’s perceptual, cognitive, and affective domains
(Oriogu 2013, p. 61). Simply put, reading is not just for school, it is
for life! It is affirmed that humans are capable of transmitting
knowledge to succeeding generations through reading. This confirms the
assertion that success in school or any life endeavor is dependent on a
good foundation in reading competence (Oriogu, 2013, p. 61).
Reading
has been said to be the only form of entertainment that is also an
essential life skill. Gentile (1976, p. 378) argues that “reading allows
an individual the opportunity to grow and develop insights into life
and the world at large. Thus, he is able to make effective decisions
that lead to personal health and happinessâ€. Reading is one of the most
rewarding pursuits in life and an art that is central to human
development. Therefore, developing a reading culture is pertinent to
success in life.
Reading culture is the process of building up a
positive reading attitude. This is when reading becomes a part of the
individual’s life and not only certain aspects, such as school or work.
Phillip (2005, p. 1) affirms that reading is not just for the
acquisition of literacy, but also for the cultivation of the habit of
reading when he stated:
Giving someone literacy skills is like
teaching a person to drive and giving them only a few drops of gas: the
machine is perfect and the driving skills have been acquired, but it's
not still an automatic skill because there is not enough practice Once
the fuel is exhausted, the driving ability becomes useless and begins to
deteriorate. With an improved reading culture, however, the person has a
continuous supply of easily processed fuel, which allows the new driver
to visit certain sites, enjoy driving and, ultimately, achieve
limitless possibilities that he offers.
Reading culture is best
developed in the formative years of the child. This is why reading
should be a major part of the school curriculum and also, an instrument
of thoroughly understanding the subject-matter of any school subject.
Reading is one of the fundamental skills which students are expected to
acquire through the process of schooling without which there would
possibly be no other means of achieving academic success (Oyewole, 2017,
p. 92).
However, this study is carried out on examination grade
pursuit as a determinant of students reading attitude in the tertiary
institutions.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
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