PROBLEMS OF TEACHING HEALTH EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

1.1 Introduction

Health Education (HE) is a systematic instruction in sports, training, practice, gymnastics, exercises, and hygiene given as part of a school or college program. Health Education is the study, practice, and appreciation of the art and science of human movement (Hardman, 2002b). Health Education is course in the curricula that utilizes the learning in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains in a play or movement exploration setting (Kirui, 2007). In this study, it refers to an instructional program built around basic motor activities, which help achieve the goal of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing for every pupil, student and student-teachers. It includes education in health, hygiene, first aid, personal safety, and the teaching of manipulative skills. It is an integral part of the schooling process.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Health Education (HE) is an integral part of education which plays vital role in the overall wellbeing of students (Federal Ministry of Education, 2008). Students’ success in Health Education depends largely on the learning process which teaching method is a greater part. According to Anne, (2005), students’ achievement is qualified by measure of students’ academic standing in relation same age bracket. However, students’ achievement in Health Education in external examination has not been above average. Among different teaching methods, discussion teaching method seems to be most recently advocated for, because of its effectiveness. Discussion teaching method is an instructional strategy that involves teachers and students sharing ideas on a topic. It is a strategy that utilizes the interaction of lecturer-students and among students as the primary means of achieving learning objectives (Eggen et al., 2012).

Different authors have tried to make an intensive review about the factors which are responsible for mass failure of students’ in Physical and health education at the secondary level across the country and beyond. Several researches on this topic were conducted in developing as well as developed countries. In developing countries some researcher showed that school factors were more important for students’ English achievement than family factors. Regarding Nigeria , there is no specific study on the issue. Therefore; further investigation is needed to determine which factors is responsible for mass failure of students in Physical and health education at the secondary level of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.

The teacher is considered to be the major and first instrument in education. School relies upon teacher in preparing generations of students and in facing problems that hinder their ability to perform duties represented in student progress and leveraging their level. There is no doubt that Health Education course carries a primary significance among the entire student body with all their differences, status and experience. Thus, teacher is the corner stone in learning and teaching, and the most important factor in education process. This requires the availability of an effective teacher who seeks to be competent and influential. His desire stems from professional commitment to provide the best education possible to his student in one hand, and to his need in facing regulatory process and situations of management in learning environment, on the other hand.

Tal, et al (1993) and Kurdi (1986) cited by Abedalbasit, (2013) points out that revealing the importance magnitude of Health Education is the school's responsibility. This can be achieved through providing sufficient opportunities to sports practicing, achieving physical fitness, adopt health information and habits, and safe attitudes in order to enable a Health Education program that helps in stabilizing their emotions and assure themselves through several activities.

The method of teaching and learning avails students the opportunity to freely interact with the teacher for clearer understanding of activities and lessons. In this method of teaching, students learn to use their voice, listen carefully and respectfully to the voice of other students (Resnick et al., 2010) and as well as enhance learning in general, where such learning is associated with both the individual student and the class as a whole (Nystrand et al., 2013).

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Problems of Teaching Health Education in Secondary Schools.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Perhaps not much attention has been given to the performance of students in junior secondary school subjects in recent years. This neglect, no doubt has relegated this junior subjects to the background in our junior secondary certificate examination. A close look at the 2004/2008 JSSCE result records, confirms that students’ performance has been very poor generally and the increase number of school dropout in the area of study is a clear pointer of theme.

The poor performance is caused by many factors such as; students ineffective study techniques, quality of teachers and method of teaching, the parent’s inability to provide useful materials like textbooks, exercise books and school fees and problem of inadequate instructional materials for teaching and learning of Physical and health education in schools.

In philosophical view of these causes, this study therefore is specifically designed to assess the factors associated with mass failure of Physical and health education in junior secondary school certificate examination in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Problems of Teaching Health Education in Secondary Schools. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the factors that inhibit the teaching of Health Education in junior secondary schools;
2. To find out if junior secondary school Health Education teachers are exposed to new technologies;
3. To know whether or not Health Education teachers are aware of the new technologies and whether these new technologies are also available for teaching Health Education in junior secondary schools;
4. To ascertain the challenges of teaching Health Education in junior secondary schools; and
5. To proffer recommendations to these challenges facing the teaching of health education in secondary schools.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are junior secondary school Health Education teachers are exposed to new technologies?
• Are Health Education teachers are aware of the new technologies use in teaching Health Education?
• What are the factors that inhibit the teaching of Health Education in junior secondary schools?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no problems that inhibit the teaching of Health Education in junior secondary schools.
• H1: There are problems that inhibit the teaching of Health Education in junior secondary schools.

1.7 Significance of Study

The student will be able to appreciate the importance of the effective domain like interest and motivation in improving their performance. With this awareness, the student might put up a positive attitude towards Physical and health education which will increase their performance and enhance higher grades in junior secondary school certificate examination.

Teachers will also be able to adjust their teaching methods and offer remedial helps where they find out that student are putting up a low attitude. State government will also see the need of guidance and counseling in each school, the ministry of education and curriculum planners for better organization of junior subjects in education.

This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of the Study

This scope of the study is focused on the Problems of Teaching Health Education in Secondary Schools. The study will cover the factors associated with mass failure of Physical and health education in junior secondary school certificate examination in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. Due to military factors such as time and other resources and the inconvenience of handling a large scope, the researchers focused only on junior Physical and health education.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Physical Education: Also called physical training (PT) or gym in less progressive settings, is a course in the curriculum which utilizes learning in the cognitive, affective and psycho motor domains in a play or movement exploration setting. It is the instruction in physical exercise and games, especially in schools.

Health Education: is any combination of learning experiences designed to help individuals and communities improve their health, by increasing their knowledge or influencing their attitudes.