CHAPTER ONE

                                     INTRODUCTION

1. 1. Background to the Study

Lateness to school is one of the major problems that that has been negatively affecting the academic performance of students especially, the primary school pupils in Nigeria. The impact of this great menace cannot be over emphasized, as it has contributed immensely in a negative way to the academic achievement of learners and the functioning of the school (Okpupara and Chuwuone, 2007). A school is primarily an established institution that aims to educate learners (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, 2010). It is designed with the purpose of bringing children from different families together under one roof (the classroom) for the purpose of teaching and learning under the direction of teachers. One of the important Successful person’s character exhibits the habit of punctuality (Phurutse, 2005).

Late coming among the pupils is against the principle of punctuality and if not curbed at the early stage, may become a habit with the individual involved and may have negative impacts on the pupils (Breeze et al., 2010). The importance of education is increasing and is regarded highly. The societies of the past are on the front rank of the world civilization on account of education, this educational system may be seriously hampered as a result of late-coming especially in high schools. Lateness is a major and a continuous administrative problem among primary school pupils in Nigeria (Egbule, 2004; Dafiaghor, 2011). The society suffers a lot as the children of school going age hang around the street corners, intimidating other people and stealing properties of those who are in school and other places of work. Lateness could result into poor academic achievement, disruption in class, difficulty in keeping accurate records, reduced ability to meet instructional target and damage of school reputation (ETC, 2009).

The present curriculum offers continuity and progression in pupil learning and any absence from school will adversely affect the pupils’ ability to participate and benefit from the learning programme. In South Africa, the new National Curriculum Statement (Curriculum Assessment Statement CAPS) prescribes tight learning schedules and prescribed assessment targets- which require efficient use of time by learners and teachers. Reports have shown that schools that have kept children in school, separated from their peers have been able to maintain their continuity of learning. In Nigeria, schools resume at 07:30am, but in most cases, pupils are seen roaming the streets up until 9:30am. The students argued that if school kids are allowed to start at least an hour later, the attendance would improve, as well as grades and attitudes. The student’s perception and experience of school is important in any approach for promoting good attendance. There is a need to identify causes of lateness to school among primary school pupils in order for a positive relationship to prevail so that the school system can lead to good output. This study will therefore investigate the factors responsible for pupils’ lateness in primary in Anambra State.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Amongst other components of any organisation, human beings are the most difficult to manage. Folks pose the most problems to administrators anywhere in the world, not excluding school organisations as learning factories in Anambra State, Nigeria. Many authors have posited as a matter of fact that it is easier to manage the financial and material components of any organisation than to manage the human component. (Nakpodia, 2006; Peretomode, 1991; Peretomode, 2001; Ubogu, 2004; Emore, 2005; Ukoshi, 2004) postulated that “it is easier to manage even animals than to manage human beings”. Thus, in the school system, the school head, which is usually the headmaster/headmistress or the principal, is confronted with numerous problems posed by staff and/or students. But Lauby (2009) stated clearly that: “As a Human Resource professional, I have dealt with plethora of employee issues: sleeping on the job, theft, sexual harassment but I have found over the years, there is one issue that plagues managers more than all these other issues combined attendance and punctuality. That is, people not showing up at all people not showing up on time”. It can be said from the above excerpt that staff and pupil’s lateness pose a great challenge to school administrators in Anambra State and also in Nigeria as a whole.

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