CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In every society, education has become a basic human need, having been generally accepted as an agent of cultural transmission and renewal. Education has always been given the most desire priority in the national development plan from independence.
Because of it’ importance as an agent of stabilization, social and economic development. Education is an instrument for change and development of the individual and the society as a whole Ajagbe (2017). Ogunlade (2011) defined education as a process of not just acquiring knowledge but the acquisition of the art of utilization of knowledge. It is indeed a life-long process that aims at importing the skills needed to live a purposeful life. At the same vain, it is a process by which a sound mind in a sound body is developed. Therefore it is accepted as an essential ingredient in the process of national development (Dende, 2011).
In order to attain these expectations, Nigeria must consolidate her educational system by ensuring productive, effective, socially and economically promising returns for the receipent of al the various levels of the educational system.
Secondary school education as defined by the National policy on education (2004) as the education received by children after attending primary school education and before the tertiary stage. The broad goals of secondary school education as stated in the National Policy on education (2013) shall be to prepare the individual for:
1. Useful living within the society, and
2. Preparation for higher education
Specifically secondary school education shall:
a. Provide all primary school leavers with the opportunity for education of a higher level, irrespective of
b. Provide diversified curriculum to cater for the difference in talents, opportunities and future roles
c. Develop and promote Nigeria language art and culture in the context of world cultural heritage.
d. Provide trained manpower in applied science technology and commence at sub-professional grades.
e. Inspire student with the desire for self improvement and achievement of excellence
f. Foster National unity with an emphasis on the communities that unite us in our diversity.
g. Raise a generation of people who can think for themselves, respect the views and feeling of others respect the dignity of labour, appreciate those values specified under our broad national goals and live as good citizens.
h. Provide technical knowledge and vocational skill necessary for agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic development.
Olorunleke (2011) revealed that many public secondary school are finding it extremely difficult to attain the above highlighted goals because of so many pertinent problems confronting the administration and management of these schools. These difficult are largely due to the problems which students who enlist in these school either face or cause irrespective of their ethnic background, religious belief and family background.
The problems according to Olanrewaju (2008) ranges from truancy, examination malpractices, cultism, hooliganism, poor parential care, drug addiction, non payment of teachers salary. Sulaiman and Kunle (2008) also identified dilapidated infrastructure, most of the public secondary schools lack basic infrastructure. Most of the classroom are old and bereft of any instructional material. The walls are dirty, the rooms are dirty and the facilities are run down the situation is so bad in some school is that over 100 pupils are limped together in a room. The culture of going to the library to read during free period for secondary students is no longer in vogue because some of the libraries have been converted to classrooms.
Kadir (2013) reiterated that there is the need for the establishment of well organized students personnel service to the student so as to enhance their learning process: These service ranges from regular supply of water, electricity, accommodation, transportation, health, catering, services and Guidannce and counseling service, orientation services and financial assistance services, and Guidance and counseling services, orientation services, and financial assistance services.
Childimma (2015) maintained that a lot of attention has been given to some areas of educational activities in order to improve the standard of education, such as increase in enrollment, access and quality but some important aspects have been relegated to the background students often translate to improve students scores, and also retention in the school student personnel services are designed to provide academic, career, personnel counseling based on what individual students lacks. Counseling services is very vital for students lacks. Counseling services is very vital for students retention and success specifically during orientation programmes.
In the light of the above there is the need for necessary students personnel services to be provided in the secondary schools such services as revealed by Oyedeji (1998) are library accommodation services, counseling services, recreational services, transporation services, co-curricular and extra curricular activities and recreational services respectively.
Okesola (2004) revealed that most of the problems in Nigeria educational institutions are due to inadequate or lack of student personnel services for students.
