CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

This project attempts to examine the effect of strike on the academic performance of schools in Nigeria at large and Oredo L.G.A. of Edo State in particular. The secondary school community is composed of many staff unions; strike by any of these unions has a tendency of lowering the standard of education.

In this work, attention will be paid to the impact of Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT) strike action on student’s academic performance. This is primary because NUT performs the initial functions of inculcating knowledge on Nigeria secondary schools students. The researcher will also examine the effects NUT strike has on the quality and standard   of school leavers produced from secondary schools.

A study of this nature is necessary because education has the universal function of contributing to the perpetration of societies by transmitting ideals, values and norms from generation to generation thereby preparing the youth for active role in the society. Education also displays the value conflicts that exist between ideals and real norms that are typical of all cultures.

Fafunwa (1994) in recantation of the above facts stated that an ideal educational medium should be able to help the beneficiaries, develop the abilities, attitude and others forms of behaviour which are positive value to the society in which they live. Aristotle (1988) also recognized the indispensable function of education, which he stated in his book that the aims of education should include;

a.                  The realizations of the capabilities and potential of individuals

b.                  The development of the body  

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

d.                  The development of the intellect or reason. He further hold that non of the above should be emphasized at the expense of the others

In line with the above aims and functions of education, the Nigeria government in its 1981 policy on education are the building;

1.                  A 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 full of bright and full opportunity for all citizens

Presently, education in Nigeria has not been able to achieve the noble objective because it is in deep problems. Paramount among these problems is the incessant NUT strike, which has often disrupted academic activities. Many reasons can be seen responsible for these incessant strikes by the NUT. Prominent among those problems according to NUT are those of funding, lacks of autonomy and dehumanizing working conditions in trying to find a lasting solution to these problems, the long commission set up by the federal government recommended in their report a 90% funding level for next fifteen years 1992-2007.