Project – PROBLEM AND PROSPECT OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

ABSTRACT

The study examined “Problem and prospect of teaching social studies in junior secondary School in Lagos State”. The study objectives are to: explore The opportunities available for improving social studies education at the junior secondary level in Lagos State; find out if Insufficient numbers of qualified teachers affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects; find out whether Unavailability of instructional materials for teaching of Social Studies subject affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects; find out if the previous socio-economic backgrounds of the students affect them in studying Social Studies subject; and the attitude and interest of students towards the nature of Social Studies subject contribute deeply to their mass failure in JSCE. The study employed the descriptive survey design.  The nature of the problem was duly considered in the study.  The research design used for this study is the survey design. The reason why this design was adopted was because the researcher would make use of the primary data obtained through the questionnaire. The area of the study covers students of five selected secondary schools located within Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos, Lagos. The target population consists of public secondary school students in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos. Simple random sampling technique was adopted for the study. The researcher useD a total of one hundred (100) students from five (5) selected public secondary schools in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos. The research instrument used was questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage while hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square Statistics. The study recommended that Government both at the federal and state levels should employ more qualified teachers for secondary schools to ensure efficiency and optimal performance in Social Studies subject. The study also recommended that Teachers should develop positive relationship with students and stress classroom activities, that will involve active teaching-learning process and students participation in the class. The study concludes that insufficient numbers of qualified Social Studies teachers and instructional materials for teaching affects Social Studies subject.

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

Teaching social studies at the junior secondary level in Lagos State presents a unique set of Problem and prospect. One of the primary challenges is the lack of adequate resources, including textbooks and other learning materials (Adeyemi, 2010). This is further compounded by the large class sizes, which make it difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention to students (Ogunyemi, 2012). Additionally, the curriculum is often criticized for being outdated and not reflective of the current social and political realities in Nigeria (Adeyemi, 2010).

However, despite these challenges, there are also significant opportunities for improvement. One such opportunity is the integration of technology into the classroom. With the increasing availability of digital resources, teachers can supplement traditional teaching methods with online materials and interactive learning platforms (Ogunyemi, 2012). This not only enhances the learning experience but also helps to bridge the resource gap.

Another opportunity lies in curriculum reform. There have been calls for a more inclusive and relevant social studies curriculum that reflects the diverse cultures and histories of Nigeria (Adeyemi, 2010). This would not only make the subject more engaging for students but also promote a more comprehensive understanding of Nigerian society.

Furthermore, teacher training and professional development programs can help to address some of the pedagogical challenges. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, these programs can enhance the quality of social studies education in Lagos State (Ogunyemi, 2012).

Moreover, community involvement can also play a crucial role in improving social studies education. By involving parents and community leaders in the education process, schools can foster a more supportive learning environment and enhance student engagement (Adeyemi, 2010).

Social studies education focuses on teaching children about their world so they can establish their own views about society and culture. Learning about their own and different cultures gives children a well-rounded view of the world.  The choosing of social studies as a subject in junior secondary school curriculum has been seen as a choice to be made by the prospective student just to complete the required number of subjects one is expected to choose to meet the minimum standard requirement by the school board. This is because most persons do not choose social studies subject as a course because they desire to make a profession out of it, but just to complete the required number of subjects permitted. In most cases, it is very difficult to see students registering social studies as a course in the final junior secondary school certificate examinations. This trend does not seem to be very healthy for social studies as a course especially as it has been seen as a subject that inculcate the right type of value and social norms in the learners who become committed to the subject.

The need for the examination of factors militating against the teaching and learning of social studies as a subject is justified by the demand for social education principles whose product makes a more responsible citizenship in the communities. Inyang-Abia (1995) in examining the problems of teaching and learning social studies posited that the subject social studies is very important since it helps to prepare young people of our time to be committed to social responsibilities that expands in number and some cases, those positions are suffering from inadequacies and incompetent of reliable citizens to fill such vacancies. The national policy on education (1981) states the objectives of social studies in respect to social life as follows:

1. Enable students to imbibe the basic existence of factual information about society with emphasis on where and how it may be discovered, classified, arranged and presentation rather than haphazard memorization.
2. To develop respect for the ideals, heritage and institution of the nation and a feeling of brotherhood towards fellow human being everywhere.
3. To acquire and develop a capacity to learn certain skills such as listening, speaking, ability to observe, analyze and influence economic and political judgment.
4. To learn about the problems and challenge that confront people today in the realm of social living and human relation at different levels, local, state, national and international.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

The teaching of social studies at the junior secondary level in Lagos State presents a unique set of Problem and prospect. One of the primary issues is the lack of adequate resources, such as textbooks and other learning materials. This problem is further compounded by the fact that many schools in Lagos State are underfunded, making it difficult for them to acquire the necessary resources. Additionally, the curriculum often lacks a local context, making it difficult for students to relate what they are learning to their everyday lives.

Another significant challenge is the lack of trained teachers. Many teachers in Lagos State have not received the necessary training to effectively teach social studies. This lack of training often results in teachers relying on rote learning methods, which do not encourage critical thinking or problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the high student-to-teacher ratio in many schools makes it difficult for teachers to give individual attention to each student, which is crucial for their understanding of complex social studies concepts.

 

Despite these challenges, there are also numerous opportunities for improving the teaching of social studies at the junior secondary level in Lagos State. One such opportunity is the increasing availability of digital resources. With the rise of the internet and digital technology, teachers now have access to a wealth of resources that can supplement traditional textbooks and make lessons more engaging and interactive.

Another opportunity lies in teacher training. By investing in comprehensive training programs, Lagos State can equip its teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively teach social studies. Such training could focus on innovative teaching methods that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as strategies for managing large classes.

Furthermore, there is an opportunity to revise the social studies curriculum to make it more relevant to students’ lives. By incorporating local history and current events into the curriculum, teachers can help students understand the relevance of what they are learning and how it applies to their own lives. This could also help to increase student engagement and motivation.

 1.3    Purpose of the Study

The study examines Problem and prospect of teaching social studies in junior secondary School in Lagos State. Specifically, the study sought to find out:-

1. The opportunities available for improving social studies education at the junior secondary level in Lagos State
2. if Insufficient numbers of qualified teachers affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects.
3. Whether Unavailability of instructional materials for teaching of Social Studies subject affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects,
4. The previous socio-economic backgrounds of the students affect them in studying Social Studies subject.
5. The attitude and interest of students towards the nature of Social Studies subject contribute deeply to their mass failure in JSCE.

Research Questions

In assessing the purpose of the study, this research project will answer the following questions:

1. What are the opportunities available for improving social studies education at the junior secondary level in Lagos State?
2. Does insufficient numbers of qualified Social Studies teachers affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subject?
3. Does unavailability of instructional materials for teaching of Social Studies subject affects students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects?
4. Does previous socio-economic background of the students affect them in studying Social Studies subject?
5. How would interest of students towards the nature of Social Studies subject contribute deeply to their mass failure in JSCE?

 Research Hypotheses

In carrying out this research work the following theoretical statements are buttressed to serve as a direction on which the work will be premised:

1. Ho: Utilization of available opportunities in social studies education have no effect of students’ performance

H1: Utilization of available opportunities in social studies education have effect of students’ performance

2.H₀: Insufficient numbers of qualified Social Studies teachers does not affects students’ mass failure of students in Social Studies subject

H₁:  Insufficient numbers of qualified Social Studies teachers and instructional materials teaching affects Social Studies subject.

3. H₀: There is no significant relationship between availability of instructional materials for teaching of Social Studies subject and students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects.

H₁:   There is significant   relationship   between availability of instructional materials for teaching of Social Studies subject and students’ mass failure in Social Studies subjects.

 1.6    Scope of the Study

The research work seeks to examine the Problem and prospect of teaching social studies in junior secondary School in Lagos State. The study will be limited to five selected schools in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos.

1.7   Significance of the Study

There is need to apply knowledge from Social Studies to many area of our life in other to benefit the society. The achievements of the objective necessitates an understanding of the basic teaching of Social Studies. We cannot attain national objectives in the light of poor or average performances in examinations and lack of application of Social Studies to life students.

Without doubt, improved teaching and learning of Social Studies will spur us into greater heights. This study will help to make our educational administrators to see the need to have qualified Social Studies teachers to handle the subject effectively for the benefit of the students and society at large.

This study will help to sensitize the educational administrators to appreciate the need to make available the necessary materials, example, chalkboard, graphs, audio-visual materials etc. that will enhance effective learning of Social Studies if they are not available.

This study will if need be direct the Social Studies teachers’ attention to the need for them to adopt more appropriate teaching method in order to bring about the above mentioned desirable experience in the learners. This study will have a great significance because it is going to provide information to Social Studies teachers for formation and evaluation of their plans.

It will be useful to learners for through this, they will be able to identify the factors militating against the proper teaching and learning of Social Studies. This study will help to produce sound Social Studies students that will function very well in the economy such as:

(a) Knowing how to use scarce productive resources with alternative uses to meet prescribed ends and be able to apply the principles of Social Studies.

(b)  The product of Social Studies that should be able to pick employment within a limited employment opportunity in any economy.

This work will serve as a source of encouragement to students and teachers that will come across it. It is hoped that the findings of this study would also form the basis for further research work by future researchers on this issue.

 1.8 Definition of Terms

Social studies: Social studies education focuses on teaching students about their world so they can establish their own views about society and culture.

Instructional Materials: These are materials that are used to aid in the transference of information from one student to another in Education arena.

Teaching: the act or profession of a person who teaches.

Job Performance: This is the work related activities expected of an employee and how well those activities were executed.

Remuneration: Reward for employment in the form of pay, salary, or wage, including allowances, benefits (such as medical plan, pension plan), bonuses, cash incentives, and monetary value of the noncash incentives.

Condition of Work: Regulations governing on-the-job standards and conditions of work such as those affecting health and safety of workers.

Project – PROBLEM AND PROSPECT OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL