Influence of Early Instruction on Reading Skills of Students in Lagos State Primary Schools

This study examined the influence of early instruction on the reading skills of students in primary schools. The sample for the study consist of 120 pupils, 57 males and 63 females randomly selected from six private and public primary schools in Lagos State. The instrument for the study was the respondents' Text Books on English Language which was used to assess pupils reading skills. Results revealed that majority of the respondents especially those in private schools were exposed to formal academic instructions before age five. It was also found that majority of the respondents in primary one (using primary two text) in private schools could not fluently read their text book but could fluently read the one that is actually meant for their class that is primary one. Among other, it was recommended that the inspection division of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and all stakeholders should be more dynamic and firm with school rules and regulations and also ensure conformity Keywords: Developmental/Age appropriateness; Early instruction; Reading skills; Primary schools The Nigerian Journal Of Guidance And Counselling Vol. 12 (1) 2007 pp. 99-10