Exploring the Causes and Effects of Diminishing Enrolment and Performance among Fine and Applied Arts Students in Nigerian Schools

Abstract

Suboptimal enrolment and academic performance may result from diminished motivation within the framework of educational continuity. Continuity represents a fundamental imperative that necessitates consistent institutional support for the development of human capital. This research focuses on the causes and factors that hinder good turnout and performance of students in Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) in Nigerian secondary schools. It aims to justify the concept of Art and explore the factors responsible for the diminishing enrolment and performance of FAA students. This research is a qualitative study grounded in observation and guided by self-determination theory (SDT). It uses observation to conceptualise and analyse the information from schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. The findings reveal that teaching and learning of FAA were not given adequate priority by educational agencies and the government. Some government secondary schools in Ojo Local Government area of Lagos State lack FAA teachers, while the limited number of active teachers faced a profound scarcity of requisite materials, tools, and specialised equipment. In addition, essential pedagogical tools have become prohibitively expensive and scarce, exacerbated by inflationary pressures, thereby limiting student accessibility. Some students also pick one interest in the subject and are not determine to offer it. These findings could expedite the provision of FAA tools and good funding from the Ministry of Education and Lagos State government. The recommendations suggest adequate provision to enhance the teaching and learning of FAA in Nigerian schools on the part of the teachers, parents, curriculum planners and government for better curriculum implementation.