THE EFFECT OF TRADITION ON WOMEN EDUCATION IN IMO STATE (A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI WEST L.G.A.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                          i

Certification                                                                                      ii

Dedication                                                                                         iii

Acknowledgements                                                                           iv

Table of Contents                                                                             v

Abstract                                                                                            vii

Chapter One: Introduction                                                             1

1. Background to the Study                                                                  1
2. Statement of the Problem                                                        2
3. Research Questions                                                                 3
4. Research Hypothesis                                                               3
5. Purpose of the Study                                                               4
6. Scope of the Study                                                                            4
7. Significance of the Study                                                                   4
8. Limitation of the Study                                                           5
9. Operational Definition of Terms                                             5

Chapter Two: Literature Review                                                    7

1. Introduction to the Study                                                                  7
2. Current Literature Review                                                       8
3. Relevant Theories of the Review                                             9
4. Summary of the Review                                                          23

Chapter Three: Research Methodology                                          24

1. Introduction                                                                                      24
2. Research Design                                                                      24
3. Population of the Study                                                                    24
4. Sample/Sampling Techniques                                                 25
5. Instrumentation/Materials                                                       25
6. Data Collection/Analysis                                                         25

Chapter Four: Data Analysis, Interpretation and Discussion                 26

1. Introduction                                                                                      26
2. Presentation of Data                                                                26
3. Analysis of Data                                                                     26
4. ]Interpretation of Data                                                            33

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations       37

1. Summary of Findings                                                              37
2. Conclusion                                                                              37
3. Recommendations                                                                             38

References                                                                               40

Appendices                                                                                       42

ABSTRACT

This research work is about the effect of tradition on women education in Imo State and Owerri West as the case study. The researcher made use of political cultural theory which posits that the pattern of political orientation existing in any society determines its population to stick towards the political system. Thus, the traditional orientation and belief inherent in Owerri West. Likely, the research work as its methodology made use of questionnaire, interview and available document relating to the phenomena under study. Efforts were made to highlight the effort and extent of women education in Owerri West Local Government. These socio-cultural factors include: the traditional marriage practice, the boys and girls, various dictionary, various anti-feminine prejudices inherent in our culture to mention just a few. It was recommended among others that, all government at all level should encourage women education and empowerment as this will allow them to have access to formal education and skill acquisition.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Education as a concept may be defined as a process through which an individual is admitted into society by being taught what is worth in order that the individual might play his/her part well in that society.

According to Fafunwa (2003), a former minister of education; education is seen as comprising all conscious effort and directs incidental and indirectly made by a given society to accomplish certain objectives that are considered desirable in terms of the individuals needs as well as the needs of the society in which the programme is based.

Education serves as a basic human need and societal survival. Just as human needs nutritious food for survival, good health, growth and development, so does the mind need appropriate and balanced education for growth and development.

Within the limit of available resources and the demands of other competing social and economic ends, education at least, to a certain level should constitute an uncompromising right of every human being irrespective of sex in any society which aspire for peaceful, stable economic growth and development.

This is because only when individual member of any society have access to the right type of intellectual and occupational development, usually acquire through the process of education and training that they can most effectively face the challenges of life in society.

It is also these well educated and trained individuals, male and female, who in the process of ensuring their personal survival, growth and development, also ensure the survival, growth and development and prosperity of the society in which they live.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

For the past 30 years, the discrimination of women in education has resulted to their low level of education. It has been a barrier to the development of the country and state in precise.

Inspite of all attempts made by government to encourage women education, such efforts have not been fruitful due to poor orientation of parents towards women education which has continued to discourage women access to formal education and skill acquisition.

The effects of the discrimination has increased due to the fact that some men in Imo State are been considered pivotal in being given the desired opportunities to formal education and to participate fully in development activities.

Besides, this has led to poor economic planning, unstable political environment as women are not allowed to formal education due to this orientation.

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Does tradition affect the level of education of women?
2. Does women education contribute to social and economic development?
3. Does women education contribute to up-bringing and training of children who are future leaders of the nation?
4. Does illiterate women complain actually on the literate ones?
5. Does parents attitude affect women education?
6. Does education contribute to the development of human being?
   1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis I

H0:    Traditional practices in Owerri is not responsible for low women education.

H1:    Traditional practices in Owerri is responsible for low women education.

Hypothesis II

H0:    Education should not be free without gender discrimination.

H1:    Education should be free without gender discrimination.

Hypothesis III

H0:    Women education do not contribute to social and economic development.

H1:    Women education contributes to social and economic development.

1. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

1. To examine the various ways through which tradition affect women education.
2. To consider productive steps to prevent low women education.
3. To examine the factors that are responsible for low women education.
4. In the light of the above to make necessary recommendations.
   1. SCOPE OF STUDY

The study focus on the effect of tradition on women education in Imo State, as it concerns Owerri West Local Government.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will contribute immensely to the solving of education problem.

The local and State government will be able to apply the outcome of the research.

The people of Owerri West in Imo State will find this research work beneficial, women of the local government and state would also benefit from the research.

Parents will also benefit from this research because it will change their orientation towards women. These recommendations should be applied in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the study especially in the area of education. It will also be a relevant material for further research by other researchers.

1. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The limitations of the study are as follows:

1. Uncooperative attitude of some individual, some of those who were asked to complete the questionnaires defiled. This affect the amount of information available for the study.
2. Time constraint in the study was carried out a time, other academic work placed demand on the researcher.
   1. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Tradition: This is synonymous with culture, it has to do with the total ways of life of people. A tradition is a belief or behaviour passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past.
2. Education: This is the process of acquiring knowledge of some basic facts of life. Others sees it as a means of which one generation transmits to the succeeding generation of those of its own cherished believes to be essential for the society’s positive development.
3. Owerri West Local Government: This is the case study of the research work. It is the place where the research work revolved on. It is located in Imo State and covers an area of 295km2 and a population of 99,265, and 16 communities.
4. Discrimination: It is treating someone differently simply because of who they are or what they believe.
5. Skill Acquisition: Skill acquisition refers to the process that athletes use to learn or acquire a new skill.
6. Society: It is an organized group of persons associated together for religious, cultural and political purpose living as members of a community.
7. Growth: Growth refers to a positive change in size, often over a period of time.
8. Gender: It is the state of being a male or female.