CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 Background of the study

The education system in Cameroon places strong emphasis on science education. This is in response to the rapid advancement in science and technology so that the country will be able to surge forward in keeping pace with the process of modernization like the rest of the world. Studying science is therefore becoming more essential for the wellbeing of the individual and also to the society as a whole (Oduwaiye R. et al.).

The increasing awareness of the stressful home environment and it adverse effect on the Buea school children, especially those of the examination classes has call on the interest of educationalist around the municipality. Stress is one of the problems faced by learners during their academic carrier when they are struggling to get their plan for their future. Stressful home environment is a state of tension that occur when there are demands and pressure that task an individual ability to adapt and adjust in the environment (Oduwaiye R. et al.,).

Academic performance is an educational aim that is achieves by student, teachers, institution over a specific time. The academic performance of learners heavily depends on upon parental involvement in their academic activities to attain their high level of academic success. there are also some factors that influence learners studies such as examination tension , school climate, teachers attitude, home stress (Hussain et’al,2012)

The alarming rate on the existence of stressful home environment and its immense impact on the adolescence learners of the Buea municipality, has called on the attention of educationalist, who have decided to introduce a discipline in the academic sector call Guardians and Counselling to help student with coping strategies on how to manage their stress without it having an impact on their academic performance. But despite the presence of the educational counselor, there are broken home and it effect on learners attention in the classroom, child abuse and it  influence on the punctuality of the learner,  unavailability  of finance and it impact on the learners assiduity, And poor parent relationship and it influences on learners motivation.

Problem Statement

The home is a place where one lives permanently especially as a member of the family of household. It is important because it provide professional care or supervision for those who lives in it. Despite the positive benefits of peaceful relationships, the home ought to provide a positive wellbeing; children in many schools in Buea originate and live in homes that have plaque with a variety of stressful situations that can impact negatively on the way they learn. Most often children came from broken homes which are characterized with a variety of emotional disintegration because of the absent of a joint collaboration between both parents.

Most often some stressed encountered by students are as a result of child abuse as most students are maltreated compelled to carry out chores above their capacity at the expense of their educational activity. While others are from stressful homes backgrounds where there is little or no finance to provide their basic school needs. Finally, some are experiencing negative academic performance because most of their parents are uninvolved in their educational activities thus demotivating them for study.

Consequently, stressful home environment such as: broken homes, child abuse, low family income, and poor parental relationship can affect the child psychologically, holistically, emotionally, and the cognitive being of the child.

Objectives of the Study

General Research Objectives

To investigate the effects of stressful home environment on the academic performance of secondary school adolescence in Buea municipality.

Specific Research Objectives

The specific research objectives of the study are;

1. To examine the extent to which broken homes affects students’ academic performance.
2. To assess the impact of child, abuse on the punctuality of the learner.
3. To verify how low family income affects the assiduity of the learners.
4. To investigate the influence of poor parent relationship on learner’s motivation

 Research Questions

General Research   Question

What are the effects of stressful home environment on the academic performance of secondary school children in Buea municipality?

Specific Research Questions;

1. To what extent does a broken home influence a secondary school students’ academic performance?
2. To what extent does child abuse influence secondary school students’ academic performance?
3. How does low family income affect secondary school students ‘academic performance?
4. To what extent do poor parental relationships influence secondary school students’ academic performance?