1.1 Introduction
Social studies education is an integrated subject that exposes learners to desirable knowledge, attitudes, values and skills necessary for effective socio-civic life. However, for social studies education to achieve its lofty goals and objectives, the learners must have a good perception of the subject matter. Perception refers to the process in which sensory information are organized and interpreted by living organisms to make meaning (Mukherjee, 2002). It is an issues focused and inquiry-based interdisciplinary subject that draws upon history, geography, ecology, economics, law, philosophy, political science and other social science disciplines. Social studies foster students’ understanding of and involvement in practical and ethical issues that face their communities and humankind.
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, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Social studies education is perceived differently by different people, Irmiya (2007) observed that, the differences in the perception of social studies have created misconceptions in the minds of ignorant people. It is important to add that, this problem of misconception of social studies is found even among teachers and students alike of social studies in schools. To some people, it is the study of social sciences which includes economics, sociology, anthropology, geography and political science; to others, it is reflective inquiry leading to critical thinking and problem solving; while another group sees it as citizenship transmission; and yet to another group, it is an integration of concepts and ideas from different subject areas.
In Nigeria the integrated approach which fuses and integrates concepts and ideas from the social sciences, humanities and liberal arts has become the mainstream of social studies education (Irmiya, 2007). The difference in the conception of the goals and content of social studies education results into confusion among teachers and students on what constitutes the subject matter or not. This is a fundamental problem that needs to be addressed if the subject is to make any meaningful impact on the learners. Most research studies on perception of social studies education in Nigeria are centered on the teachers' point of view and as such this study is therefore meant to fill the gap by assessing students' perception of social studies education.
Since students at this level are teachers in training, their perception of the goals and content of the subject will go a long way in influencing their practice after school, Al- Gharibi (2008) revealed that, although students viewed learning social studies as enjoyable, they did not see social studies as useful for a career or even being related to their lives. Also, Al-Nofli (2010) examined the perception of 407 Social Studies teachers about Social Studies goals and content areas in Oman.
Therefore, in Enugu Urban Enugu State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Social Studies Education Awareness Level among Junior Secondary School Students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the attitudes associated with Social Studies appear to affect students' performance in the subject. Also, many Social Studies teachers teach Social Studies without instructional materials and facilities (Mberengwa 2004). These observers contend that the failure of Social Studies education to nurture and develop in the Nigerian child the spirit of good citizenship, national consciousness, positive values and attitudes, is substantiated by the host of socio-economic and political vices that still beset the country. It is therefore imperative to find out the causes and possible solutions to the ineffectiveness of Social Studies education in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Social Studies Education Awareness Level among Junior Secondary School Students in Enugu Urban Enugu State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the methods commonly used in teaching social studies education among JSS Students in the area under study;
- To identify the factors that inhibit Social Studies Education teaching pattern among Junior Secondary School Students;
- To ascertain the security consciousness in teachers' teaching level of Social Studies Education among JSS Students; and
- To find out students’ perception of the extent to which the goals of Social Studies education are implemented to promote effective citizenship among JSS Students.
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 there factors that inhibit Social Studies Education teaching pattern among Junior Secondary School Students?
- What are the methods commonly used in teaching social studies education among JSS Students in the area under study?
- What is the security consciousness in teachers' teaching level of Social Studies Education among JSS Students?
- What is the students’ perception of the extent to which the goals of Social Studies education are implemented to promote effective citizenship among JSS Students?
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 significant factors that inhibit Social Studies Education teaching pattern among Junior Secondary School Students
- H1: There are significant factors that inhibit Social Studies Education teaching pattern among Junior Secondary School Students
1.7 Significance of Study
The study gives various insights into the challenges of teaching social studies in Nigeria. These highlighted challenges will enable stakeholders in the education sector to take adequate measures in tackling these challenges, and make learning of social studies a lot easier for both teachers and students in Nigerian Secondary Schools.
This study will be of immense benefit to other 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 Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Social Studies Education Awareness Level among Junior Secondary School Students in Enugu Urban Enugu State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- 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.
- 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).
- Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Social Studies:
It is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Social studies is most commonly recognized as the name of a course or set of courses taught in primary and secondary schools or elementary, middle, and secondary schools, but may also refer to the study of aspects of human society at certain post-secondary and tertiary schools around the globe.
Challenge:
It is a general term referring to things that are imbued with a sense of difficulty and victory.
