PREDICTIVE INFLUENCE OF CHILD-CENTRED FACTORS ON IRREGULAR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BEHAVIOUR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA IN OWERRI

Okoiye Ojaga Emmanuel PhD; Ukoha Callista, A. PhD & Adebisi Funmilola Kehinde PhD

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive influence of child-centered factors on irregular school attendance behaviour among secondary school students with dyslexia in Owerri, Imo State. Using a descriptive survey design; the study adopted purposive sampling technique to select 200 chronic school absentees (boys 120 and girls 80) with dyslexia from 10 randomly selected secondary school in Owerri. A validated self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and t-test were used to analyze data collected. The result at =3.00 decision point indicated that the participants agreed that their irregular attendance in school  was due to the fact that: their classmates make fun of me when they speak in the class ( =3.48); they feel ashamed in their inability to pronounce words correctly( =3.43); they feel frustrated in their inability to read in class when asked to read by their teacher( =3.23); they are discouraged to attend school( =3.13); they are afraid they will be called out to read( =3.08); they do not feel happy attending school regularly( =3.19)  and they feel they cannot make it in school( =3.31). Also, the result of the study revealed that there was no significant difference in the expressed irregular school attendance behaviour of male and female; young and old secondary school students with dyslexia due to child-centered factors. Therefore, special educators should utilize intervention programmes that will help secondary school students with dyslexia to overcome their challenges and develop the need confidence in their ability to succeed in school.