A CASE STUDY ON A STUDENT OF CLASS VII, WHO LACKS

MOTIVATION AND INTEREST

SUBMITTED BY:

MUKTI MARIANA MAJHI

ROLL NO: 87

REGISTRATION NO:

SESSION: 2021-2022

SUBJECT: CHILDHOOD & GROWING UP

SUBJECT CODE: CG41012P

SEMESTER I

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:

ASSISTANT PROF. SUSMITA PAUL

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE KOLKATA (AUTONOMOUS),

30, MOTHER TERESA SARANI, KOLKATA – 700 016

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I take this opportunity to extend my heart felt gratitude to each and everyone who have
played a great role in accomplishing my project file. Indeed it was a journey of
encouragement and inspiration.

First and foremost I would like to thank God the almighty, who has always been there by my
side in performing and finishing every little deed that this project file involved by giving me
good health of mind and body.

My sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Fr.Dominic Savio, SJ., the Principal of St. Xavier’s
College, Kolkata, who has given an opportunity to pursue every knowledge in this Institution
and has been always a great support.

I am very much thankful to Professor Charlotte Simpson Vegas, the Vice Principal of the
Department of Education, and St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, for her kind
words of encouragement and her support in every way, and especially in the work of my
project.

Without the kind and generous supervision, as well as the guidance of Assistant Prof.
Susmita Paul, this Project file would not have been possible. I feel indeed very much
indebted to Ma’am, for her wealth of knowledge and scholarly guidance.

Last but not the least, I too extend my sincere gratitude to my family, friends and my fellow
B.Ed. companions who have shared their kind thoughts and generosity towards the
accomplishment of my file work.

Date: Mukti Mariana Majhi

 Contents

Introduction to case study

Objectives of case study

Objectives of the present case

Theoretical background of the student

Determination of the present status of the individual

Formulation of hypothesis

Verification of hypothesis

Identification of the casual factor

Validation of the diagnosis

Follow up the case

Reporting of the case

Appendix I: Questionnaire for the student

Appendix II: Questionnaire for parents

Appendix III: Photos with the student and parents

References
 Introduction to case study

The case study is a method of intensively exploring and analysing the life of a single social
unit, be it an individual, a family, an institution or a community. The aim of case study
method is to find out the factors that account for the behaviour patterns of the given unit and
its relationships with the environment. An English philosopher Frederic Leplay introduced
this method which was adopted by social researcher like Herbert Spencer, Healey, Mitchell
etc. Spencer used case materials in his comparative studies of different cultures. On the other
hand, Healey resorted to the case study method in his study of Juvenile delinquency.

Today sociologists, political scientists, Anthropologists, Psychologists and ethnologists make

use of the case study method while conducting their research. Significantly this method
acquired the necessary impetus and recognition or a systematic field-research technique in
Sociology with the classic study. Again, anthropologists and ethnologists interested in the
systematic description and study of the primitive as well as modern culture have utilised the
case study method. It is important to note that case study is not a method of data collection
but is a research strategy or an empirical enquiry that uses multiple evidential sources.

In simple terms, Case study is an in depth study of a particular situation. It is a method

through which a very broad area of research is narrowed down into one easily researchable
topic. Case study methods attempt to find out the reasons behind the behaviour pattern of the
study subjects and its relationship with the environment.

According to P.V.Young (1966), “case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit, be it a

person, a group of persons, an institution, a community or a family.”

Kromrey says that case study involves studying individual cases, often in their natural
environment and for a long period of time.

According to Goode and Hatt (1952), “Case study is a method of exploring and analysing the
life of a social unit”.

Therefore, we can say that case study is a method that serves different purposes- describing,
exploring and explaining a situation as well as generating a theory. It involves qualitative
methods of research and presents a holistic account about a particular phenomenon.
A case study is an account of an activity, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical
situation and includes the complexities you would encounter in the workplace. Case studies
are used to help you see how the complexities of real life influence decisions.

Analysing a case study requires you to practice applying your knowledge and your thinking
skills to a real situation. To learn from a case study analysis you will be "analysing, applying
knowledge, reasoning and drawing conclusions" (Kardos & Smith 1979).

According to Kardos and Smith (1979) a good case has the following features:

1. It is taken from real life (true identities may be concealed).

2. It consists of many parts and each part usually ends with problems and points for
discussion. There may not be a clear cut off point to the situation.
3. It includes sufficient information for the reader to treat problems and issues.
4. It is believable for the reader (the case contains the setting, personalities, sequence of
events, problems and conflicts)

The main key of the case study is to systematically build up the past record of the person, so
the unit of methodical case history is:

a. Identical data: Name, address, family background.

b. Environmental data: Home school parental education, siblings, achievement in school
etc.
c. Special data: Information about illness and others sort of effects.
Objectives of the Case Study:

 The first and foremost objective of case study method is to analyse the behavioural
patterns of a single unit and its relations with the environment.
 Another major objective of a case study is that it forms the basis for a detailed study
in the future. So we can say that case study is a preliminary form of investigation.
 Case study determines and defines the research question and develops hypothesis in a
quantitative study.
 Case study is used by researchers to refute generalization in research.
 One of the objectives of case study is to test whether a quantitative study can be done
or not.
 Case study explores, explains and describe a particular situation.
 The purpose of case study is an in-depth examination of a single case or event.
 Case studies provides a systematic way of observing the events, collecting data,
analysing information and reporting the results over a long period of time.
 The case study helps the researchers to observe events both inside and outside the
education writing in their totality.
 To collect and analyse both the quantitative and qualitative data to
construct the case history.
 To shed light on all aspects of human ability and behaviour that is related to
individuals, atypical behaviour or atypical development through in depth, multisided study
approach and prolong observation.
 To form a complete a dynamic picture of a psychology, the study should
present as accurate and as objection account as possible.
Objectives of the Present Case :

 To assess the present psychology of the student and mental status of the student.
 To recognise the interests and likeness of the student.
 To help towards finding better future of the student.
 To find out the root cause for her timid and shy behaviour.
 To find out the academic performance of the student in the academic subjects.
 To know the mentality of the parents towards the needs of their child.
 To find out the cause for being introvert in nature.
 To find out better with the better self-esteem of the child.
 To suggest parents towards the needs of the child.
Theoretical Background of the Student

Name of the Student: Ariffin Rahman

Residential Address: 26 B. Dr. Suresh Sarkar Road, Kolkata- 14, Entally,P.O

Name of the School: Holy Chilhood School, Near Fatima Church, Kolkata -14

Class: VII

Date of Birth: 28-06-2008

Age: 12 years

Gender: Female

Father’s Name: Azhar Rahman

Mother’s Name: Halima Bibi

Profession of the Parents:

a) Father- Self employed

b) Mother- Housewife

Qualification of the Parents:

a) Father: Matriculation

b) Mother: Fifth Standard

Siblings: One elder brother and one elder sister

Ordinal position of the student among the siblings: Youngest

Determination of the Present Status of the Individual:

The Case Study undertaken is about an individual named Ariffin Rahman, studying in Class
VII, aged 12. She is pursuing her studies in Holy Child School, Kolkata-14. She is the third
child of her parents named Mr. Azhar Rahman and Mrs. Halima Bibi. She hails from a family
which is lower-middle and the economic condition of the family is rather not sound as her
father is the sole earner for the whole family. She has two of her elder siblings, who too are
pursuing their studies in different schools. After looking deeply into the condition of the girl,
it has been found that she is a low achiever in her studies and most of the time she has not
been able to score good marks in her subjects. The reason for her poor performance in her
studies might be due to the poor family condition as well as the poor guidance being given by
her parents as they are busy in the daily earnings and they themselves being less educated.

The girl seems to be rather quiet and disturbed most of the time. She comes from a locality
where many children too are not in a good condition. She has no much interest to mingle with
others, be it be in the home surroundings and in the schools as well. However she does help
her mother sometimes in the household works. She however likes to do manual work
compared to studies.

She has low grasping power and has no much interest to study and as a result she has poor
concentration in the class and most of the time she has absence of mind in the class. Her
parents want her to study though she has less interest. Her study background is poor and has
poor in speaking English language though she is studying in English medium. She finds
difficult to remember the things and most of the time does not pay proper attention in the
class. She seems to keep herself aloof from others. She however can do well in the game
activities but due to her less interest in things, she is not able to give quality time in extra-
curricular activities as well.

Formulation of Hypothesis

H1. She might have low grasping power.

H2. She might have poor interest and lack of concentration in the studies.
 H3. She might lack proper guidance from her parents.

H4. She might lack perseverance and focus in her goal.

H5. She might not feel to study due to lazy attitude.

H6.She might be disturbed due to the poor financial background of the family.

H7.She might be feeling to help her parents, seeing their hard labour daily and therefore not
able to focus in the studies.

H8. She might be depressed and disturbed because of the poor family condition.

H9. She might lack proper thinking and reasoning.

H10. She might be an introvert child and suffering

from poor self-esteem.

Verification of Hypothesis

Hypothesis Formulated Verification of the Hypothesis Formulated

H1. She might have low grasping power. This can be verified from:
• Poor remembrance
• Not been able to perform well in the exam
H2. She might have poor interest and lack of This is verified from:
concentration in the studies. • Poor attention in the class
• Being distracted in the classes
H3. She might lack proper guidance from her parents. This is verified from:
• Lack of sound economic condition
• Parents being not educated properly

H4. She might lack perseverance and focus in her This is verified from:
goal. • Unable to complete the class work
• Not guided properly
• Lacking proper aims
H5. She might not feel to study due to lazy attitude This is verified from:
 • Carefree attitude of the student
• Not serious about the academic performance
H6.She might be disturbed due to the poor financial This is verified from:
background of the family. • Silence and worried nature of the child
• Poor monetary income
H7. She might be feeling to help her parents, seeing This is verified from:
their hard labour daily and therefore not able to focus • Her interest in the household work
in the studies. • Her concern towards the wellbeing of the
family condition
H8. She might be depressed and disturbed because of This is verified from:
the poor family condition. • Most of the time being quiet and silent
• Poor family background
H9. She might lack proper thinking and reasoning. This is verified from:
• Disturbed thoughts
• Poor intellectual capacity

H 10. She might be an introvert child and suffering This is verified from:
from poor self-esteem.  Do not like to mingle with others.
 She has very few friends.
 She remain aloof from others.
Identification of the Casual Factor:

After the observation period certain problems of the student has been detected:

 She finds difficult to concentrate in the class.

 She cannot remember the subject matter and the mathematics being the toughest for
her, especially the formulas etc.
 As she cannot concentrate, she cannot grasp as well and most of the time she gets
poor outcome from the academic performance.
 She is rather a disturbed child too and most of the time looks worried both in and out
of the class.
 She is pessimistic due to the poor economic condition which further is an obstacles
even in going to the school to study but is forced to, as her parents want her to study
although she has no interest. Thus she lacks interest and motivation in life especially
in studying.
 She seems to be good in sports but again due to her lack of interest, she cannot pursue
in this as well.
 She is a child with poor intelligence and less capacity to grasp the matters.
 She is rather introvert as she does not mingle much with others both in and outside of
the school.
 She is timid and shy too in her approach and dealings and as a result, has less
socialization quality.
 Her parents have a desire to educate her but they are unable to understand that she has
no interest.
 There is an additional from her parents. As parents themselves are less educated, they
are unable to guide her in a right direction.
 The locality from which the child hails is not so conducive as well for her to grow in a
healthy manner.
Validation of the Diagnosis:

 A good counselling is very much needed for the child as she needs to be listened to by
someone who can just listen to her and further find the best ways for her to grow and
take better choices.
 An encouragement is required both by her teachers and fellow students, so that she
can develop positivity and grow as an open child by building friendly relationship
with them which can further add boost towards her interest for studies as well as in
what she is good at.
 As she has less concentration power, she needs to be introduced to yoga education
and practice it daily which will enhance her concentration power in the class and help
her to remain at the moment.
 She should be given opportunities to develop her skills in sports as she is good at in
the school by her teachers.
 Good motivational talks by different persons both at physical and digital platform can
boost her goals for life and encourage her to work hard in her studies in order to
perceive it.
 The leading counsellor should provide a platform where she should be given all the
positive strokes which will enhance her to be more positive and help her to remain
with happy look.
 She should be encouraged to be part of outing, picnics, talent shows, etc. which will
boost her interest for things and increase he socializing quality as well.
Follow up the Case

A follow up for two months has been done in order to find out the progress of the case and to
see if the provided suggestions have been followed or not.

Name of the Month Major events

Month of November  Poor academic performance

 Lack of interest and motivation to go
to school
 Lack of socialization both in and out
of the school
 Remaining worried and reserved
 Less mingling with others
 Difficult to grasp and remember the
subject matter
 Disturbed mind and absence of mind
 Lack of proper guidance from the
parents
 Poor in English speaking
 Low capacity to critical thinking

Month of December  Slight change in the interest towards

studies
 Attending online yoga class with the
help of neighbour
 Alternatively giving time for
motivational talks
 Taking interest to sit for studies in
the morning as well as evening
 Taking effort to engage in extra-
curricular such as art and sports
 Beginning to relate with the friends
with the surrounding children
  Looks happy and positive
 Elder brother has taken effort to
guide her in her studies
 There is reading and writing of the
daily assignments with bit interest
 Trying to talk in English with her
siblings

Reporting of the Case

The case study which was undertaken was about a girl named Arrifin Raham daughter of Mr.
Azhar Rahman and Mrs Halima Bibi. The child is aged 12 who is presently pursuing her
VIIth at Holy Child School which is located at CIT Road, Kolkata-14.

The child comes from a poor middle family where both of her parents are not much educated
and self-employed, especially her father and mother is housewife. She has her elder siblings,
one boy and a girl who are pursuing their studies in different schools

The Child is found to be of less interest and motivation towards studies and the future. She
does not show much interest in studies very often and likes to do household work but the
academic performance is very poor. She lacks concentration and critical thinking as she has
less capacity and intelligence. She likes to remain alone most of the time and fails to mingle
with the friends and companions both in the school and in her neighbourhood. She seems to
be rather worried and introvert. Her parents are unable to give quality time and are not able to
guide her as they are not much educated.

The financial condition of the family is not much sound. However her parents are trying their
best to educate her although she shows less interest.

With the few visits she is being observed under the above matters and is being talked both
with her parents and the child. Certain suggestions and steps are being suggested to follow
up. In the next visit it is being observed that with the follow up of the certain concrete and
helpful steps, she is seen to be improving gradually and there is interest emerging from her
side. She is being advised to continue with the regular follow ups and it is hopeful that she
will do well in the coming days.

Appendix-I
Questionnaire for the Student

 Do you like to go to school?

 Can you remember the topics and the subjects taught in the class?
 Do you ask your doubts to your friends and teachers?
 Is there anything with the subjects and class which worries you?
 Do you have few friends or many?
 Do you like to partake in the extra-curricular activities?
 Do you feel distressed and disturbed?
 Do you like to read and study every day?
 Do you understand the lessons taught in the class?
 Do you have interest to socialize?
 Do you like very short questions type and one line questions?
 Do you feel happy with low grades in the exam?
 Do you have likeness towards any particular subject?
 Do you dislike some subjects?
 Do you feel interested or bored in the class?
 Do you feel confident of yourself?
 Do you like to study alone always?
 Do you ever feel or think that your going to school has meaning?
 Is there anything which makes you feel stressed and disturbed?

Appendix-II
Questionnaire for Parents

 Does she like to study?

 Do you have time to guide her?
 Does she listen to you?
 Is she a slow learner?
 Does she participate in co-curricular activities?
 Is she calm and quiet child?
 Does she mingle with her friends and neighbours in your surrounding?
 Is she worried most of the time?
 Is her academic performance good?
 Does she ask her doubts to her teachers and friends?
 Is she frightened of anything?
 Is there anything which disturbs her?
 Can she remember what is being taught?
 Does she speak in English?
 Does she like to do household work?
 Does she get distracted easily?
 Does she have retention power?
 Does she have enough time for personal studies?
 Does she have many or very few friends?
 Do her siblings help and guide sometime or the other?
 Does she express about the economic condition of the family?
 Is she interested in household work?
 Does she have memory power to grasp the subject matter?
 Does she have difficulty in expressing the subject matter in written form?
 Does she feel happy and satisfied with her low grades in exam?
 Does she have interest to improve her academic performance?
 Does she have inhibition towards any particular subject?
 Does she get low grade most of the time?
 Is she a disturbed and distracted child?

Appendix- III