Factors Challenging the Zeal of Students for Learning: The Nigerian Example

Abstract

Education is one of the strategies for the development of any nation. Therefore, many nations, governments, including organizations are keen on achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4; which addresses universal basic education. A review of the Nigerian teaching strategy signified a consistent depreciating paradigm which could be attributed to some factors. Despite these factors, there is the belief that the quality of Nigerian  education would not have gone down to its present appalling state if students were passionate about learning. A review of literature also showed a paucity of information for understanding the factors challenging the zeal/passion of students for learning. Therefore, this paper aims to fill this gap in knowledge by highlighting these factors and the extent of the decay in the system. A survey design was used to elicit data from a sample of 160 senior secondary school students. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Mean, Standard Deviation, median, and Mann Whitney U test were used to test and analyze students’ responses. The results showed that factors including weak education foundation and payment for examination malpractice challenged students zeal for learning. The study made suggestions and concluded that these factors need to be considered before SDG4 can be achieved in Nigeria.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Nigeria, learning, students, senior secondary schools

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-17-05

Publication date:June 30^th 2019