ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Educational Measurement and Evaluation

This study assessed the implementation of Social Studies Curriculum in Junior Secondary Schools in Zone B Educational Zone of Benue State. The study was guided by three specific objectives. The study raised and answered three research questions. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The study was carried out in Zone B Educational Zone of Benue State. The population of the study is 283 teachers. The sample size for the study is 274. Self-constructed questionnaire and checklist were used as instruments for data collection. The items of the questionnaire were trial tested to ascertain the reliability of the questionnaire using the Cronbach Alpha method and it yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.79. The direct delivery and retrieval method were employed in the administration of the instrument. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of Frequency Counts and Percentages to answer the research questions raised for the study. The study found that Social Studies teachers in Junior Secondary Schools in Zone B of Benue State are qualified for the implementation of Social Studies curriculum based on set minimum standard of NCE. The study also found among others that the teaching methods used by teachers in most Junior Secondary Schools in Zone B of Benue State are; inquiry, dramatization, questions and answer, discussion and home assignment and these teaching methods adopted are in accordance with the curriculum implementation blueprint. The study concluded that even though the Social Studies teachers are qualified, the curriculum in most Junior Secondary schools in Zone B of Benue State is not well implemented as; teacher/students’ ratio is not in accordance with the prescription. The study recommended among others that government should employ more qualified Social Studies teachers so as to ensure that teachers/students’ ratio should be in accordance with the prescription of Social Studies curriculum implementation with regards to minimum standard of 1 teacher to 40 students in a class.

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