ABSTRACT
The study investigated the causes and effects of truancy among junior secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The design adopted for this study was the descriptive survey method. Five (5) research questions were raised to guide this study: What are the causes of truancy among junior secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State? What are the causes of truancy among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, by school type? What are causes of truancy among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area by gender? What are the causes of truancy among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area by school location? What are the effects of truancy among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State?
The population for this study constituted the total number of all secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size for this study was a total number of one hundred (100) students who were selected using the simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from respondents which was tagged, “respondents’ questionnaire on the causes and effects of truancy among junior secondary students
(RQCETAJSS)”. Data collected from the survey was statistically analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS). After analysis, results were displayed on tables showing frequencies and percentages of responses from participants in the study.
Findings from the study revealed that truancy is practiced among students in junior secondary schools in the area of study. It is also revealed that the rate of truant behaviours observed among male students is more than their female counterparts. In addition school location have a significant impact on students’ behaviours. It was therefore recommended that schools should ensure they continually organize orientation programmes for students aimed at developing their morals, behaviours and attitudes. It was also recommended that teachers should ensure they address the misdeeds of students by punishing them when necessary to reshape their behavior and character towards education and learning. Also, the school counselling center should try as much as possible to monitor students and observe their behaviours on a daily base
