Adolescents beliefs of the role of self concept and government policy on their re-entry into school in Abia State

Abstract

Promoting quality education aimed at improving the quality of life has been a global challenge. In Nigeria the Federal Government, educator, counselors, non-governmental bodies and the society at large have been concerned and challenged by the ways and means of catering for the leaming needs of adolescents who for one reason or the other dropped out of school. This study investigated the influence of government policy and self-concept on re-entry of adolescents into school in Abia State. Four continuing education and two skills acquisition schools were randomly selected for the study. One hundred and sixty two (162) adolescents who re-enrolled in these schools participated in the study. Two research questions were raised for this study. The data for the study was collected using a questionnaire developed and validated by the researchers and experts in the areas of study. Analysis of data collected showed that both government policy and self-concept influenced adolescents re-entry into school, but that self-concept was a stronger factor. It was therefore recommended that stronger and more influential government policies should be put in place to encourage more adolescents to go back to school, and that individual and group counselling should be used in schools to boost students self concept.