EFFECT OF ADOLESCENT GROWTH SPURT ON STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF MUSIC IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IDEMILI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

The study was on the effect of adolescent growth spurt on students’ choice of music in secondary schools in Idemili North Local Government Area. The design was a qualitative research design. Two research questions guided the study. Seventy-five students from three schools in Idemili North of Anambra State were used for the study. The class from which the students were elected is Upper Basic Class 3. This is to ensure a true representation of the adolescents. Twenty-five students (male and female) were drawn from each school. This accounts for adequate representation of the genders. All the schools are public schools and offer music as an aspect of Cultural and Creative Arts up to Upper Basic Class 3. The same curriculum is used in schools. These students were interviewed using an Interview schedule to gather information from them. It was found that parents do not encourage their wards to be serious with music instruction. Some of the parents do not even want their children to speak about music let alone choose it as their school subject. The parents are of the opinion that music is meant for unserious people and good for nothing students. Even some students believe that they do not have good voice for music activities even to play the instruments is also a big problem. It was recommended that music teachers should take cognizance of students' individuality bearing in mind their developmental differences in teaching music in secondary schools.