STRATEGY TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

1.1 Introduction

Social Studies Curriculum as a policy document and academic programme was introduced to educational system in Nigeria with the aim of inculcating positive values and building of better Nigeria. This could be possible only when there is effective implementation of social studies curriculum at all levels of education. According to Okam (1998), there is an indication that social studies education has not been properly implemented in the schools to equip students with the necessary knowledge, facts and ideas that can enhance positive values and attitudes for the survival of individuals and the society.

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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Social Studies was introduced into the official school curriculum following its success in solving societal problems not only in Britain but also in America as well as Nigeria in the late 1960s. This programme of study was first introduced in Britain after the 1st and 2nd world wars in order to appease the conscience of the citizens to respect constituted authority, submissive to their parents, show regards to the elders of the society, help to protect public property, value the lives of fellow citizens and contribute positively towards the development of the society (Edinyang, Mezieobi and Ubi 2013).

The national curriculum conference held in 1969 at Lagos was a major turning point in the history of curriculum development in Nigeria and a historical landmark in the history of education in Africa. Fafunwa, (2004:239), observes that it was the first national attempt to change the colonial orientation of the Nigerian educational system and promote national consciousness and self- reliance through the educationalprocess.

The recommendation of the national conference according to Fafunwa, emphasizes national unity, citizenship education, national consciousness, nationalism and national reconstruction. These recommendations became the bedrock on which the Nigerian Educational goals were realized. The National Policy on Education (FRN 2009), spelt out the goals of Nigerian education which include; the inculcation of national consciousness and national unity; the inculcation of the right types of values and attitudes for the survival of individuals and the Nigerian society; the training of the mind in the understanding of the world around; and the acquisition of appropriate skills and the development of mental, physical and social abilities and competencies as required for the individuals to live in, and contribute to the development of the society.

The desire to achieve the aforementioned goals prompted the introduction of more subjects into the primary and secondary schools among which is Social Studies Education which is the focus of this study. Thus, For the philosophy to be in harmony with Nigeria‘s national objectives, Social Studies education is geared towards self-realization, better human relationship, national consciousness and national unity as well as towards social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and technological progress. These are the main targets of Social Studies Education. Ogundare (1984:82), says Social Studies programme should aim at achieving the diverse and ever changing physical and social environment as a whole including its natural resources, together with the rational use and conservation of these resources for development; developing in the learners, the capacity to learn and acquire skills including not only the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing but also of developing the skills of hand together with those of analysis and inference which are important in the formation of sound judgment; developing in children, positive and desirable values of citizenship and the desires in them to make positive contribution to the creation of a united Nigeria; and inculcating in the learners sympathetic views which will enable them to appreciate the diversity and interdependence of all members of the local community and of the wider national and international community.

The researcher intends to assess the social studies curriculum implementation in senior secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area Akwa Ibom. Though, Okam (1998), stresses that upon all the subjects studied in the Nigerian school system, Social Studies are the most (if not the only) appropriate for addressing Nigerian societal problems educationally and comprehensively. Curriculum implementation is aimed at actualizing the planned curriculum. It is the translation of the curriculum contents into practice or action. In the words of Offorma (1994), Nzewi, Okpara and Akudolu (1995), implementation of curriculum is normally done in the classroom through joint efforts of the teacher and learners and those concerned. In curriculum implementation, the Teacher is expected to adopts appropriate teaching methods and instructional materials to guide the students learning. Students are expected to be actively involved in the process of interacting with the learning materials and activities.

Assessment of the teaching and learning of social studies on the other hand is expected to help to reposition social studies teaching and learning process and make it more relevant to the needs of the learners and the society at large. Thus, assessment is defined as assigning marks, selecting individuals for special opportunities or the quality of instructional materials, assessing the effectiveness of various approaches to instruction and many other kinds of activities (Herzberg, 1975). Ololobou (2007), defines evaluation as the collection and use of information as a basis for rational decision-making on the curriculum. This decision therefore will help to improve on the implementation process which will lead to the attainment of the set objectives. Equally, Yusuf (2012) defines curriculum evaluation as the systematic process of identifying, assembling or gathering data and making value judgment about such data to determine the merit, worth and significance of a curriculum. It is a process of determining whether the implementation of the programme needs to be improved, modified or attracts innovations as to actualize the set objectives.It is a quality control exercise to ensure that resources are used maximally. In line with the above, a conclusion could be made to say that, this research work will assist in shaping the Nigerian citizens through social studies education in order to benefit themselves and immensely contribute their quarter towards the development of their community, Nigeria and the world at large. Okam (1998), posited that, there is an indication that social studies education has not been properly implemented in the schools to equip students with the necessary knowledge, facts and ideas that can enhance positive values and attitudes for the survival of individuals and the society. That is why social problems range from disrespect to elders and constituted authorities, chronic dishonesty, corruption, religious crisis, ethnic/tribal crisis, murder, arson, examination malpractices, drug abuse, cultism, indiscipline and other forms of mal-adaptive behaviors bedeviled the Nigerian society. This is what motivated the researcher to embark on this research.

Therefore, in Uyo Local Government Area Akwa Ibom where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Strategy to Enhance Teaching and Learning of Social Studies in Secondary Schools.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

Investigation reveals the problems of the research work, which range from disrespect to elders and constituted authorities, chronic dishonesty, corruption, religious crisis, ethnic/tribal crisis, murder, arson, examination malpractices, drug abuse, cultism, indiscipline and other forms of mal-adaptive behaviors which have bedeviled the Nigerian society. However, these problems are seriously affecting teaching and learning of social studies negatively, since the actors engage themselves with negative attitudes, thereby making teaching and learning of social studies difficult. Thus, positive values and attitudes must be the habit of the social studies curriculum implementation actors for the success of the programme.

In view of the above, this research intends to assess the extent to which social studies curriculum is being implemented in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State. The study also aims at identifying the problems associated with the teaching and learning of social studies in senior secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area Akwa Ibom.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Strategy to Enhance Teaching and Learning of Social Studies in Secondary Schools using Uyo Local Government Area Akwa Ibom as a Case Study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine the extent to which social studies curriculum content is being implemented in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
2. To ascertain the pedagogical methods used by social studies teachers in the teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
3. To assess the roles of social studies teachers in the used of instructional materials in teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
4. To identify the problems associated with the teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom; and
5. To determine the supervisory roles of quality assurance officers in social studies curriculum implementation in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom.

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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:

• To what extent does the social studies curriculum content is being implemented in Senior Secondary schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom?
• How does the pedagogical methods used by teachers in teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom?
• In what ways does the social studies teachers used instructional materials in teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State?
• What are the problems associated with the teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom?
• How do the quality assurance officers supervise teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom?

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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.

• H₀1: There is no significant difference in the extent to which social studies curriculum content is being implemented in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
• H₀2: There is no significant difference in the pedagogical method used by social studies teachers in implementation of social studies curriculum in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
• H₀3: There is no significant difference in the teachers‘ use of instructional materials in teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom;
• H₀4: There is no significant difference in the problems identified with teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State; and
• H₀5: There is no significant difference in the supervisory roles of quality assurance officers in social studies curriculum implementation in Senior Secondary Schools in Uyo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom.

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1.7 Significance of Study

The study will greatly benefit the curriculum planners and developers through finding the extent to which the social studies curriculum content is being implemented at Senior Secondary School levels and finally used as a guide for decision making on whether there is need to change, alter or innovate or improve upon the existing social studies curriculum content.

The study will be of great importance to the social studies teachers of Senior Secondary Schools who are the key implementers of the curriculum by realizing their roles in ensuring the effective implementation of social studies curriculum. It will also provide empirical information on the pedagogical methods used by teachers that are relevant to the teaching and learning of social studies in Senior Secondary Schools.

Quality assurance officials which involve both internal and external (supervisors) will benefit greatly from this research work. The quality control officials who are responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of curriculum including that of social studies will benefit from the data collected from the research. The findings of this work will therefore help them to improve on their assignment.

This research will also be beneficial to parents who are stake holders and joint partners responsible for ensuring the effective teaching and learning of social studies. The need for parents to join their hands in ensuring the implementation of curriculum was clearly pointed out in the words of Offorma (1994), Nzewi, Okpara and Akudolu (1995), where they opined that implementation of curriculum is normally done in the classroom through the joint efforts of the teacher and the learners and those concerned. In this regard, those concerned is referred to as parents, school administrators,inspectors, supervisors and government itself etc. Thus, parents as a people that are highly concerned in ensuring the curriculum implementation will surely benefit from the findings of thisresearch.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Strategy to Enhance Teaching and Learning of Social Studies in Secondary Schools using Uyo Local Government Area Akwa Ibom as a Case Study.

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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).