All Talk, Little Impact: Media Frames and Discursive Strategies of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria

Muhyideen Imam; Umar  Ajetunmobi; Abdulmalik Salman

doi:10.47540/ijqr.v2i2.637

Authors

Muhyideen Imam Department of English, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Umar Ajetunmobi Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abdulmalik Salman Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47540/ijqr.v2i2.637

Keywords:

Critical Discourse Analysis, Framing Strategies, Nigerian Newspapers, Out-of-School Children

Abstract

Statistics show that Nigeria has 10.5 million out-of-school children (OOSC), the highest figure in the globe. This study investigated the media frames and framing strategies of OOSC in Punch, Vanguard, and Daily Trust Newspapers. Using qualitative content analysis, the study adopted van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) alongside the thematic and episodic positions of Framing Theory. Analysis showed five media frames and six framing strategies for OOSC. For media frames, OOSC were represented as vulnerable and poor victims; silenced voices; children sprouting from state and policy failure; children sprouting from non-state actors’ failure, as well as children in crisis and need of collaborative responses. For framing strategies, we found source avoidance as a means of masking negativity, authoritativeness as a framing strategy, positive self-presentation, and negative other-presentation, apportioning blame, and foregrounding, alongside direct and implied metaphors. Journalists used these representations to frame opinions and influence people’s perceptions of the OOSC menace. The study recommends that media houses always explore ways of actualizing the truth efficacy of news reportage, and write stories about OOSC more thematically.

References

Adogu, P., Udigwe, I., Udigwe, G., Nwabueze, A. & Onwasigwe, C. (2014). Pattern, types and predictors of contraception among female in-school and out-of-school adolescents in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Advances in Sexual Medicine. 4(3).

Adebiyi, AO., Faseru, B., Sangowawa, AO., & Owoaje, ET. (2010). Tobacco use amongst out of school adolescents in a Local Government Area in Nigeria. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 5(1), 1-5.

Agbakwuru, J. (2020). N2.67bn school feeding funds found in private accounts — ICPC. Vanguard, 29 September. Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/n2-67bn-school-feeding-funds-found-in-private-accounts-icpc/ (accessed 11 May 2022).

Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. SAGE.

Bateson, G. (2000). A Theory on Play and Fantasy. In: Steps to an ecology of mind. The Chicago University Press.

Bayeiwu, L. (2022). Out-of-school children: Reps urge states to implement UBEC, Child’s Right Acts. Punch, 18 March. Available at: https://punchng.com/out-of-school-children-reps-urge-states-to-implement-ubec-childs-right-acts/ (accessed 24 April 2022).

Chari, T. (2013). Media framing of land reform in Zimbabwe. In Moyo S and Chambati W (eds) Land and Agrarian Reform in Zimbabwe: Beyond White-Settle Capitalism. Dakar: Codesria, 291–330.

Correia, JC. (2010). Journalism and framing: a socio-cognitive approach. Journalism and framing: a socio-cognitive approach. Congress of the International Association for Media and Communication Research.

Druckman, J. (2001). The implications of framing effects for citizen competence. Politic. Behav. (23), 225–256.

Fairclough N. (2013). Critical discourse analysis and critical policy studies. Critical Policy Studies, 7(2): 177–197.

Frame Works Institute. (2017). Episodic vs. thematic stories. Available at: https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/article/episodic-vs-thematic-stories/ (accessed 10 May 2022).

Giomelakis D, Karypidou C. & Veglis A. (2019). SEO inside Newsrooms: Reports from the Field. Future internet, 11(12): 261.

Gever, VC., Tunca EA., Boluwatife AA., Nwogbo VC., Chinweobo-Onuoha BN, Ugwuoke JC and Talabi FO. (2021). Visual media and learning: Effect of interactive television instruction as an intervention strategy for improving the critical thinking skills and disposition of out-of-school nomadic children in Nigeria. Learning and Motivation, (76), 101767.

Ishaku, J. & Oraka O. (2019). Nigeria: Unbundling the 13 million Out-of-School Children in Nigeria. AllAvailable at: https://allafrica.com/stories/201903290791.html (accessed 10 May 2022).

Jacks, SC., Ayuba IH, Pur H. & Abua C. (2018). Girl children’s vulnerability and economic recession in Nigeria: A case study of Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 8 (5), 10-12.

Jacob, S. (2022). Out of school girls in Nigeria: Implications for national development. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(1).

John, F. & John ER. (2018). The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies. New York: Routledge.

Khafaga, A. (2019). Linguistic Representation of Power in Edward Bond’s Lear: A Lexico-Pragmatic Approach to Critical Discourse Analysis. International Journal of English Linguistics. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v9n6p404

Lecheler, S., Keer, M., Schuck, AR., & Hänggli, R. (2015). The effects of repetitive news framing on political opinions over time. Communication Monographs, 82(3), 339-358.

Mohammed, MN., Quadri, KA., & Yoshifumi, H. (2021). Examining the fragments and causes of increasing out-of-school children in Nigeria. Journal of African Studies and Development, 13(4), 66-73.

McGregor, SLT. (2003). Critical Discourse Analysis a primer.

Available at: www.kon.org/atchives/form/15-11/mcgregor.cda.html (accessed 29 April 2022)

McQuail, D. (2013). Journalism and society. SAGE Publications,

Nazir, F. & Hameed, A. (2019). Reflection of voices of Out of School Children: Implications for education policy. Journal of Research & Reflections in Education, 13(2).

Okoh, CN., Emenik, JA., Doma, A., & Akinsola, MO. (2020). Out of School Children: Enhancing factors and consequences for sustainable development in North Central geo-political zone, Nigeria. American Journal of Educational Research, 8(10): 804-811.

Olanrewaju, S. (2021). Existential realities of Out-of-School Children in Kano metropolis: Implications for policy implementation in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Culture Studies, 5(5). DOI:10.22158/jecs.v5n5p32.

Owonikoko, O. (2021). Insecurity is crippling Nigeria’s education system — here’s what we must do. The Cable, 17 May. Available at: https://www.thecable.ng/insecurity-is-crippling-nigerias-education-system-heres-what-we-must-do/amp (accessed 24 April 2022).

Odeyemi, K., Onajole, A., & Ogunowo, B. (2009). Sexual behavior and the influencing factors among out of school female adolescents in Mushin market, Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 21(1), 101-110.

Omokhodion, FO. (2015). School attendance and attitude to child labour: A comparison of in-school and out-of-school working children in southwest Nigeria. Journal of Public Health, 23(1), 63-67.

Pan, X. (2002). Consensus behind disputes: A critical discourse analysis of media coverage of the right of abode issue in post-colonial Hong Kong. Media, Culture and Society, (24), 49-68.

Roser, M. (2021). Access to basic education: Almost 60 million children in primary school age are not in school. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/children-not-in-school (accessed 24 April 2022).

Sanni, OB. (2015). Effects of insecurity and challenges on females’ education in Nigeria. African Journal for the Psychological Studies of Social Issues, 18(3), 49-56.

Tuchman, G. (1978). Making the News. New York: Free Press.

Tyoakaa, LM., Amaka, JI., & Nor, A. (2014). Problems and challenges of girl-child education in Nigeria: The situation of Kalgo Local Government Area of Kebbi State. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 4(4), 01-05.

UNESCO. (2019). New methodology shows that 258 million children, adolescents and youth are out of school. Available at: http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/new-methodology-shows-258-million-children-adolescents-and-youth-are-out-school.pdf (accessed 24 April 2022).

UNICEF. (2022). Education. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/education (accessed 24 April 2022).

Universal Basic Education Commission. (2018). Digest of basic education statistics for public and private schools in Nigeria. Available at: https://education.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DIGEST-OF-STATISTICS-PUBLIC-PRIVATE.pdf (accessed 24 April 2022).

van Dijk, TA. (2015). Critical discourse studies. In D Tannen, HE Hamilton and D Schriffin (eds.), The handbook of discourse analysis. Wiley Blackwell: Oxford.

Yagboyaju, DA., & Akinola, AO. (2019). Nigerian state and the crisis of governance: A critical exposition. Sage Open, 9(3).

Yekeen, A. (2017). Adamu worried by Nigeria’s world-highest population of out of school children. International Centre for Investigative Reporting, 23 November.

Zira, KM. & Zumo, AM. (2020). Perceived factors responsible for students’ drop out of school in Zumo Development Area Song Local Government of Adamawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Current Aspects, 4(1), 22-32.