THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF NIGER COLLEGE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: The present study investigates the influence of the school environment on teaching and learning. Specifically, the research was conducted at Niger College Junior Secondary School Two, located in Ugbekun Quarters of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area in Edo State. The subject employed at the institution consisted of teachers and students. The secondary school environment comprises various factors that exert influence on the students. This study focused on the environmental factors that influence children's learning experiences. The aforementioned factor can have a significant impact on both the academic performance and overall well-being of individuals within an educational setting. The architecture, layout, décor, and facilities of a school are crucial in shaping the learning environment. However, the significance of this aspect of school life is often underestimated.Many children, regardless of their academic performance, often express dissatisfaction with the requirement to attend school. They may voice concerns about various aspects such as the school hours, the frequency of school days, the teachers, or even their fellow students. This complaint is quite common among children. The obstacle lies in the structure of the school building itself. It can be inferred that the aesthetic appeal of a building has a direct correlation with the level of inspiration it instills in its occupants. While the presence of aesthetically pleasing colours alone cannot guarantee the development of highly intelligent individuals, it is evident that creating a conducive environment for children, regardless of their academic abilities, can positively impact attendance, concentration, motivation, and self-esteem. It is crucial for staff members to work in an environment that is adaptable to their day-to-day professional requirements. 

Aristotle (1998) also recognized the indispensable functions of education when he stated in his books the claimed that the aims of education should include:

1. The realization of the capabilities and potential of individual

2. The development of the body

3. The training of the appetites, which is character or moral development

4. The development of the intellect or reason. He further held that none of the above should be emphasized at the expenses of the others.

 In line with the above aims and functions of education, the Nigeria government in its 1981 Policy on Education stated that the five main national objective of education are the building of:

1. Free and democratic society

2. A just and egalitarian society

3. A united, strong and self reliant nation

4. A great and dynamic economy

5. A land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens.

Currently, the state of education in Nigeria is facing significant challenges, preventing it from successfully attaining its intended goals. As per Bronfenbrenner's (1989) findings, it is essential for young individuals to have dedicated adults who possess a strong passion for teaching. Instead, the current situation seems to be causing frustration among both parties involved. In these educational institutions, the support networks for both students and educators are either weak or non-existent. Teachers may experience feelings of resentment towards what they perceive as insufficient support, encouragement, assistance, and resources to effectively carry out their job responsibilities. Students may experience a sense of detachment or indifference from the school community, perceiving a lack of knowledge or concern towards their individual circumstances. In order to transform these schools into nurturing and productive environments that both students and teachers find enjoyable, several measures can be taken.

The literature on the impact of schools discusses various factors that can contribute to an improved school environment. These factors include effective leadership by principals, the establishment of a safe and orderly setting, and the provision of engaging extracurricular activities. The aim is to decrease the size and impersonal nature of school and education programmes, with a focus on tailoring them to meet the distinct requirements of individual students and school environments. The school climate is frequently comparable to the weather in terms of its palatability. Certain educational institutions display warm and friendly emblems, whereas others possess a colder physical environment that affects the atmosphere in classrooms and offices. The influence of school and classroom climate on student performance is likely. Numerous educational institutions across the nation continue to exist in a state reminiscent of the Victorian era, characterised by deteriorating infrastructure and scarce resources. Many secondary schools in the twenty-first century are facing the challenge of incorporating modern teaching methods and contemporary resources within the constraints of nineteenth-century facilities. A small percentage of current schools have been constructed since the mid-1970s. These relatively modern facilities have been subjected to several generations of students, causing them to approach the end of their expected lifespan.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The magnitude of environment problems on teaching and learning school is very difficult to determine because so many extraneous variables impinges on the teaching skills and learning capabilities of teachers and students in the classroom at different times. The time between school environment and home environment is hard to define and varies from individual to individual.

This study takes a critical look at the impact of school environment at different times on the teaching and learning of teachers and students respectively in secondary schools in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following are research questions stated by the researcher

1. Do the school environment affect teaching

2. Does the size of the classroom help the students in their learning?

3. Good environment does it help staff in delivery of their profession?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Few studies have been carried out in Nigeria like Benin City, Edo State to determine the impact of school environment on the teaching and learning. The main purpose of this study is to compute the impact of the environment on teaching and learning on teacher and pupils respectively. Also to acquaint the school management of the danger of degraded and noisy environment on the performance of both teacher and students. Lastly, to consider the implication of the finding for developing school curriculum by school administrators and educators planners.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study is that it will serve as a literature for further research students and researchers for curriculum planners it will be a lay down procedure for them in carrying out their research work and plans. Another importance of this research is that it serves as a documentation of facts for historical purpose and records

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

The scope of this research work is geared towards, the impact of school environment on teaching and learning  in Niger College Junior Secondary School Two in Benin City. This study is also delimited to Niger College Junior Secondary School Two in Ugbekun Quarters of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State and it is restricted to the impact of school environment on teaching and learning.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

In this research, some terms which are used connotatively are defined and classified to enable us understand the context in which they are used.

LEARNING: This is gaining knowledge by studying practice or being taught in a school compound. It brings about the gaining of understanding that leads to the modification of attitudes and behaviours through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and values, through study and experience learning cause a change of behaviour that is persistent, measurable and specified or allows an individual to formulate a new mental construct.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: This is the school compound itself, the classroom the furniture and teaching materials it includes the time in hours spent in the school compound. It also embraces the school surrounding. It must be safe, clean, comfortable and attractive classroom can stimulate learning and help build a classroom community.  

TEACHING: To give instruction in any way to persons or groups in a school compound. It is also the conscious and deliberate effort by a mature or experience person with intention that the latter will learn or come to believe what he is taught on good grounds.