The impact of Parents’ Teachers Association (PTA) Assistance and Teaching Effectiveness

 

Abstract: This research work was carried out to critically examine the impact of parents’ teachers association (PTA) assistance and teaching effectiveness in social studies among secondary school teachers in Oruk Anam local government Area. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, two research questions and hypotheses were formulated for the study. An expost facto research design was employed in carrying out the study. The population of this study consisted of all the junior secondary schoolteachers in all the public secondary schools in the study area. A total of one hundred (100) respondents were randomly selected from ten (10) secondary schools out of fourteen (14) secondary schools in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. The instrument used was a questionnaire for data collection. The data generated were analysed using Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) statistical method. The result of the study revealed that parent teacher association has much relationship with teaching effectiveness in social studies among secondary school teachers in Oruk Anam local government Area.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1       Background of the Study

Secondary school education occupies a very unique position in the educational system in Nigeria, because it is that level that determines the academic and professional career of students. According to Federal Government of Nigeria (2004) in the National policy of education, the broad aims of secondary education within the overall objectives are preparing students for useful living within the society and preparing them for higher education. Precisely, the aim of secondary education is to provide opportunity for qualitative education for primary school leavers, cater for the differences in talents of the pupils, develop Nigeria cultural heritage, produce a generation of people who respect the dignity of labour, foster Nigerian unity and to inspire its students with the desire for achievement and self-improvement both at school and in later life. It must be stated that only the provision of qualitative education can guarantee the accomplishment of the above-stated goals. The extent to which the secondary school system is able to accomplish its objectives determines its effectiveness.

 

Teaching effectiveness in this study refers to the extent to which secondary schools teachers achieve its goals by producing students who have gained knowledge, who are disciplined and have developed appropriate skills and moral value system that can make them functional in the society. Over the years, the cognitive approach has been the only criterion used to measure the effectiveness of a school system. Thus, the act of passing on knowledge from one generation to the other is the role of the parents. The parents are more effective in imparting discipline and knowledge to students at the very grass root level. It is therefore a known fact that all parents have the natural inclination to give their children the good things of life they are capable of providing for them. And in the modern age, the major task is on the provision of quality education and good standard of living. In the light of this, parents have developed a very positive interest in what goes on in school. It is this interest of parents in the education of their children and wards in schools that gave birth to the organization or formation called “Parents Teachers Association.

 

During the latter years of the 19th century, the Parents Teacher Association was first organized by a group of women in America. The first meeting called “the national congress of mothers” was actually held in 1877. It was this meeting that stimulated the founding of the national congress of parents and teachers association in 2000. The congress of parents and teachers, which now goes by the name Parents Teacher Association (PTA) and the functions, now includes particularly in curricular development policy making and setting standards in schools. Abiola A.O. (2010) says that since Parents Teacher Association is concerned with the student’s welfare and all round developments that is why parents are giving a role in the administrative administration of secondary school. This means that the Parents Teachers Association is interested in the co-operation of the school system.

 

Therefore, if the school is to achieve its goal, meets the needs of students and fulfill the expectation of parents, there should be good linkage between the teachers and parents. Parents are experienced people who are conversant with child psychology and development. They therefore know the needs of their children at difference stages of development. In view of this, the parents are in a better position to give useful advice to teachers when necessary. It is on this note that Aghenta (2010) opined that parent teacher association is democratic organization which attempts to bring parents and teachers together in the interest of the child. It is a formal link of communication on school matters between the teachers and parents.

 

According to Ajayi (2011) the meeting of this body serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas between teachers and parents about school programmes towards the smooth running of the school and the achievements of the goals of the school. School management in itself is not a one man team. It is a collective activity of groups and individuals within any organization, it requires proper planning and administration, the parent-teachers association therefore, provides and has continued to provide assistance to majority of schools that have benefited from its good gesture. In view of the above, this presents study seeks to investigate the relationship between parents’ teachers association (PTA) assistance and teaching effectiveness in social studies among secondary school students in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

 

 

1.2       Statement of the Problem

As educators struggle to identify and maximize the use of every resource to improve students’ performance and teaching effectiveness, many factors give rise to the formation of parent’s teacher association in secondary schools in Oruk Anam Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. It is likely that there are lacks of schools facilities. It could be due to shortage of manpower, which may involve PTA’s negotiation. It might be as a result of students’ interest. Again, it may be as a result of inadequate provision of school materials for students. All these problems attract the intervention of the PTA. It is probably whether PTA actually acts to assist school in matters relating for day to day running of schools. Thus, a formal study of this nature is carried out to investigate the relationship between parents’ teachers association (PTA) assistance and teaching effectiveness in social studies among secondary school students in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.