Factor Affecting The Teaching And Learning Of English Language In Primary School
[ILORIN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE]

These objectives made the primary education the concern of all and sundry, and it has become obvious that the foundation to build the future of Nigerian nation anchored on it. It can therefore be affirmed that the aims and objectives of the primary education is no longer just the acquisition of the ability to read, write and numeracy as it were in the colonial era but had moved to a more complex skills acquisition that will enable a primary school leaver to be an independent member of the society (Osuji & Alugbuo, 2003). .According to Bagudo (2006), the Nigerian schools are always termed as a place of learning functional skills, receiving ideal information, to act rationally to the expectation of the broader society.
More so, Quadri (2001) stated that Primary Education in Nigeria has among others the following intentions:
(i)     To help the child develop intellectually, physically, morally, socially and emotionally,
(ii)     To produce well-qualified citizens that are capable of going to secondary and tertiary institutions to be trained as professionals in various services that are essential for the development of the country.
(iii)     To assist primary school learners who cannot further their education to become useful citizens to themselves and community at large.
Generally, the objectives of primary education in Nigeria as stated in section
4 pages 12 of the National Policy on Education (2004) are as follows:
(a)     The inculcation of permanent literacy and numeracy and the ability to
Communicate effectively;
(b)     The laying of a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking;
(c)     Citizenship education as a basis for effective participation in and contribution to the life of the society;
(d)     Character and moral training and the development of sound attitudes;
(e)     Developing in the child the ability to adapt to his changing environment;
(f)     Giving the child the opportunities for developing, manipulative skills that will enable him function effectively in the society within the limit of his capacity;
(g)     Providing basic tools for further educational advancement including preparation for trades and crafts of the locality.
A critical scrutiny of the above purposes, intentions and objectives of the primary education in Nigeria revealed a package for individual transformation into a whole being, positive and resilient to environmental development. Justifying the importance of good primary education, the World Development Report (2000/2001) indicates that the biggest problem of poverty, besides the lack of food, is the lack of power directly related to a lack of knowledge worldwide, WDR added that almost 1 billion people lack a basic skill to acquire knowledge are illiterate because they have had no primary education or because the quality of their primary education was too low (Peter, 2005).
Education is a key investment in any nation with enormous social, economic and political benefits accruing from it. This explains why one of the national education goals is the acquisition of appropriate skills and the development of mental, physical and social abilities and competences as equipment for the individual to live and contribute to the development of the society (FRN, 2012). Qualitatively, the type of education being imparted to majority of schools and college children is ill-suited to the development of Nigeria.
The quality of education offered to children in primary schools in Nigeria is low. Aside that, certain personality characteristics like low problem solving, self efficacy and impulsivity peculiar to some pupils hinder them from effective learning activities in which the present system of primary education failed to address Oloruntoyin (2011). This has gross effect on education being imparting to pupils primary school level in Nigeria.
Since the rest of the educational system in Nigeria is built upon primary school education, success or failure of the whole educational system could be largely depend on on the nature of education available and imparted to pupils at Primary schools. Meanwhile, primary education can be regarded as a foundation of learning and knowledge acquisition and avenue through which basic learning skills can be acquired.. This therefore suggests that primary school education should be treated with a top most priority attention.
The Roles of English Language in the Nigerian Primary School Education
English serves as a gateway to formal education because almost all the subjects in the schools are taught in English language. This leaves no doubt in one’s mind that English occupies an enviable position in Nigeria. Double-Gist (2013) upheld that “English should be taught and learned in schools because it is indispensable to modern living”. English is the language of science and technology, commerce, trade and administration, a means of national and international communication and eventually a passport to educational advancement and lucrative jobs. Therefore, Olagoke (1979) recommended that Nigerian children be given maximum encouragement and opportunity to learn English effectively in school.