An Examination of The Distribution of Teachers’ Trust in Pupils and Parents in Nursery and Lower Primary Sections of Schools in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Abstract

This study investigated teachers’ trust in pupils and parents in the nursery and lower sections of   ten primary schools in Ibadan south west local government area of Oyo state (0-8years). Specifically, the study sought to know the level of trust teachers have in parents and pupils in their schools. It also attempted to find out the influence of teacher gender and class taught on the level of trust exhibited by the teachers to parents and pupils. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. Questionnaires whose reliability coefficient (using the Cronbach Alpha scale) was 0.73 were used to collect the data for the study. Two hundred teachers were randomly selected for the study.Results revealed that the level of trust teachers have in pupils and their parents is fairly high and that teacher gender and class do not influence the level of trust they have in parents and pupils in their respective schools. However, majority of teachers fear that pupils may cheat if they have the opportunity, which is an indication that teachers may not always trust pupils to do honest work. This is a reflection of the level of examination malpractices in the nation which teachers and parents really need to look into at this foundational level of education. Also, the study revealed that many parents do not attend Parent Teacher Association meetings. Attendance at Parent Teacher meetings is a very strong determinant of parental involvement in their children’s education and this also should be looked into by schools as it may be a tool for curbing dishonest traits in children early enough before they become serious examination malpractices and other delinquent behaviours.

Keywords: teachers, trust, parents, pupils, distribution