Creative Thinking Ability and Academic Performance in Core Subjects of Lower Primary School Pupils in Ondo State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue I, January 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Creative Thinking Ability and Academic Performance in Core Subjects of Lower Primary School Pupils in Ondo State, Nigeria

Prof. Babatunde Adeniyi ADEYEMI^1*, Akindele OLADELE^2
1Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
²Kindawaz College of Advance Studies, Dada Estate, Ososgbo, Osun State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract:-The study determined the academic performance in core subjects’ of lower primary school pupils in Ondo State. It also examined the creative thinking ability of lower primary school pupils. It further determined the difference in academic performance of pupils’of different levels of creative thinking ability. These were with a view to providing information on how pupils’ creative thinking ability could bring about a better academic performance of lower primary school pupils in core subjects.The study adopted an ex post facto research design. The population for the study comprised lower primary school pupils in Ondo State. The sample size comprised of 560 primary III school pupils using multistage sampling procedure. Two instruments were used for data collection namely; Creativity Assessment Questionnaire (CAQ) and Pupils’ Performance Scores in Core Subjects (PPSCS). Data obtained were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentages and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) statistical techniques.The results showed that 54.1% and 51.3% of the sampled pupils respectively performed below the average in Mathematics and English Language. In Social Studies, 50.0% of the pupils performed below average performance while 50.0% also had average and above average performance, whereas; in Basic Science, 50.9% of the pupils had average and above performance. Also, the results showed that 50.9% of the pupils sampled in the lower primary school pupils in Ondo State had low creative thinking ability. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in academic performance of pupils with different levels of creative thinking ability, (F = 3.76, p< 0.05).This study therefore concluded that creative thinking ability of lower primary school pupils could bring about better performance in core subjects.

Keywords: Creative Thinking Ability, Academic Performance, Core Subjects, Lower Primary School Pupils.

I. INTRODUCTION

The lower school programme carefully considers all aspects of a child’s development: Emotional, Social, Physical and Cognitive. It is believed that children can best obtain a rich body of knowledge and the skills needed for future learning through a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and that builds upon itself year by year. Curriculum is expected to be an expression of the mission of trinity which is to inspire a love of learning to build self-confidence and to foster in pupils the ability and desire to contribute to their community

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