Teachers Attitude Towards Teaching And Learning Of Social Studies In Junior Secondary Schools In Odogbolu Local Government Area Of Ogun State.

Abstract

The study focused on Teachers attitude towards teaching and learning of social studies in Junior Secondary schools in Odogbolu Local government area of Ogun State. Social studies was introduced in 1977 following the adaption of the New National policy on Education, to inculcate in our students certain values, skills, ideas and attitutdes which are considered very important for the survival of the Nigerian society. This study reviewed that the teachers' attitudes towards the subject is satisfactory and the way students feel about the learning of the subject is very important considering the emphasis placed on the subject at the junior secondary school level. The major objectives of this study, therefore are (1) to examine the attitudes of teachers and students towards social studies as a school subject, thereby giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves, (2) to examine what personal variables or factors that: might be responsible for their attitudes and (3) it also aimed at finding out the qualifications and teaching experiences of social studies teachers since they form an important component in the teaching and learning process. It was conceived by the researcher that the findings of the study would provide relevant data upon which to give meaningful and practical suggestions to improve the attitudes of teachers and students towards social studies in secondary schools. But concrete efforts should be made to consolidate the positive attitudes of teachers and students towards social studies in the state.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

Over the years, there have been growing concerns about the attitude of teachers towards the teaching of social studies in secondary schools. The need to adapt our education to the needs of the Nigerian society started before and after independence. Many educational elites began to recognize that the functional inadequacies of the educational system inherited from the colonial education failed to develop positive values, attitudes and habits in our society because the social studies they taught was British oriented and has nothing to offer to the Nigerian child.

Social studies as a discipline are a relatively new subject in the school curriculum in Nigeria. It was introduced into the educational system following the adoption of the New policy of Education in 1977. Under the new policy, social studies is compulsory in the primary and Junior Secondary schools. Arguments in favor of this new arrangement among others were that, it is the current practice in most parts of the world in favor of the unified social studies programme overtaking of history, geography, civics or economics in primary and junior secondary schools.

Secondly, it is believed, it exposes secondary school students at an early age to the main concepts, generalizations, theories and methods of approach of other social sciences. And thirdly, it is emphasized at junior secondary school level because, in Nigeria, education for some students terminates at that level. Therefore, they should be given a taste of the social science through social studies rather than being exposed to just one or two subjects in the social sciences (Anderson 2010).

At the time it was introduced, concerted efforts were made by individual associationse.g the social studies Association of Nigeria (SOSAN), and Governmental bodies such as the Nigeria Educational Research Council (NERC) to get implanted along with other subjects in the school curriculum. To have this done, seminars, workshops and conferences were convened, during which papers were presented and discussed. One of such seminars was the one organized by the Nigeria Educational Research Council (NERC) at Jos from 19 -21 April, 1978 in which experts of Social Studies deliberated on the clarification of the meaning, ideas and concepts of social studies (NERC 1980:IV). Since then efforts have been geared towards producing books and other materials for the new subject.

However, much remains to be done by bodies such as the NREC and scholars to find out the feelings and attitudes of teachers towards social studies and that of students of secondary schools for whom social studies programme is designed. Therefore, in the light of this observation, it is necessary to investigate the attitude of the teachers and students of Odogbolu Local government area of Ogun State, towards social studies. That in essence, is what this study intends to do.

1.2         Statement of the Problem

An attitude is a mindset that affects how a person thinks and acts. Attitude can influence a person's performance positively or negatively. There are certain things that will trigger teacher's attitude towards teaching and learning of social studies; which may likely to be unavailability of teaching materials, lack of incentives to the teachers and inability to pay salaries on time might contribute to the attitude of teaching and learning of social studies in upper schools.

Finally, several researches has been carried out on teacher's attitude on academic performance of students but there has been no single research on teacher's attitude towards teaching and learning of social studies in upper basic schools.

1.3         Purpose of the Study

1. To determine that effects of teachers attitude on the teachings and learning of social studies.
2. To determine the factors affecting teachers attitude towards teaching and learning of social studies.
3. To determine the factors affecting students attitude to learning social studies
4. To determine the factors that can improve the attitude of teachers towards the teaching of social studies

1.4         Significance of the Study

As Nigeria is still a developing nation, it is hoped that the findings of this research will encourage various governments to provide conducive environment, teaching aids and qualified teachers for effective study of social studies in secondary schools.

This study is of educational importance because it is believed that if social studies teachers in secondary schools understand the factors which stimulate the growth of interest in social studies, such knowledge may provide bases not only to make social studies popular but also to make the teaching of social studies humanizing.

Re-orient teachers with negative attitude towards the teaching of social studies in secondary schools. Assist the government to identify teachers? attitude towards the study of social studies in secondary schools. Serve as a basis for other researchers who are carrying out investigation on similar problems facing the development of education in Nigeria. Help teachers and educational planners to acquire knowledge of solving problems associated with the attitude of teachers towards the teaching of social studies in secondary schools.

1.5         Research Questions

1. What is the effect of teacher?s attitude on the teaching and learning of social studies?
2. What are the factors affecting teachers attitude towards teaching of social studies?
3. What factors affects students? attitude to learning social studies?
4. What factors can improve the attitude of teachers towards the teaching of social studies?

1.6         Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is to ascertain the attitude of teachers towards the study of social studies in junior secondary schools in Nigeria; a case study of public junior secondary schools in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Ogun State was used in this study.

1.7         Limitation of the Study

A research of this nature requires adequate time to ensure thorough work, but the time allowed for this study was limited.

Some respondents may not have provided accurate and sincere answers that represent the true situation required for some of the questions in the questionnaire.

The researcher experienced a lot of problems during the process of this study which are as follows:

1. Delay in administration of questionnaire due to public holidays.
2. Typing and administration of extra copies of questionnaire because some respondents did not return their copies.
3. Appealing to the principals of some of the schools used for the study due to interruption of lectures.

1.8         Definition of Terms

Social studies: This is the study of people in relation to each other and to their world. It is the study of social relationships and functioning of society.