1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Accounting education was introduced in the Nigerian School Curriculum as part of the instrument for achieving national development (National Policy on Education (NPE) 1981). This was what informed its designation as part of the core curriculum at different levels of education in Nigeria.problems and prospects.
Accounting education curriculum development agencies such as the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and experts further identified and disseminated the curriculum goals or purposes of the subject in the school curriculum. These include citizenship education, reflective inquiry and Accounting education, (Barth-shermis, 1920; Barth-Norris, 1976; Dubey and Barth, 1980; Olawepo, 1984) among others. These broadly stated goals must be clare to, and recognized as important as well as attainable by teachers and other participants connected with the Curriculum if the intentions or purposes must be realized and the investment of effort is to be considered worthwhile (Feather, 1982; Meece, Blumenfeld, & Hoyle, 1988).
These intentions or purposes are prima facie stated with clarity, but their perception or conceptualization by teachers and scholars is still in doubt as Onyabe (1980) observed that the philosophy, content and methodology of Accounting education has remained vague to both scholars and teachers. The incidence of conflicting conceptions of Accounting education curriculum is a cause for concern for three major reasons. First, the anchor or strategic position of purposes or intentions in the curriculum development process (Pratt, 1994) as illustrated in Tyler (1949) (Linear) and Wheeler (1980) (cyclic) curriculum models, among others.problems and prospects.
Secondly, curriculum goals or purposes, are indispensable elements in instructions as far as effective implementation of an already developed curriculum is concerned. Thirdly, the correct conception, investment of efforts and ultimate realization of the purposes of the curriculum will facilitate the realization of the overall aims of the Nigerian educational enterprise.problems and prospects.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
Presently, junior secondary school students interest and academic achievement in social studies is declining. Lemchi (2001) noted that some students are losing interest in the subject.problems and prospects.
Attitudes associated with Accounting education appear to affect students performance in the subject. Also, many Accounting education teachers teach Accounting education without instructional materials and facilities (Mberengwa 2004). The quality of teachers, and class room facilities are grossly inadequate and obsolete.
Owolabi et al. (1991) also indicated that a serious disconnection exists between Accounting education training in secondary schools and the needs of the labour market, as students that do not proceed to higher education have been found to be incompetent in the field of work. Where students consistently perform poorly, the implication is that adequate teaching and learning has not taken place in schools. Therefore, the problem of this study is to examine the problems of teaching and learning of Accounting education in secondary schools in Anambra State.problems and prospects.
1.3 Aim and Objectives Of The Study
The main aim of this study is to examine the problems of teaching and learning of Accounting education in Junior Secondary Schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, this objectives of this study sought to:
- Find out the extent to which students attitudes constitute problems to the teaching and learning of Accounting education.problems and prospects
- Assess the extent to which teacher quality and quantity constitute problems to the teaching and learning of Accounting education, problems and prospects
- Find out the extent to which instructional materials constitute problems to the teaching and learning of Accounting education.problems and prospects
- Determine the extent to which curriculum issues pose problems to the teaching/learning of Accounting education.problems and prospects.
1.4 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 do attitudes of Anambra State Junior Secondary Schools Students constitute problems to the teaching of Accounting education?
- To what extent to teacher quality and quantity cause problems to the teaching of Accounting education?
- To what extent do instructional materials pose problems to the teaching and learning of Accounting education?
- To what extent do curriculum issues pose problems to the teaching and learning of Accounting education?
1.5 Significance Of The Study
The study gives various insights into the challenges of teaching Accounting education in junior secondary schools in Nigeria. These highlighted challenges will enable stakeholders in the education sector to take adequate measures in tackling these challenges, and make learning of Accounting education a lot easier for both teachers and students in junior secondary school levels.problems and prospects.
1.6 Scope Of The Study
This study covers the challenges and prospects of teaching Accounting education at junior secondary schools in Nigeria using Anambra state as a case study. Findings and recommendations for the study may not reflect the true view of the challenges of teaching Accounting education in Nigeria, as the researcher could not cover a wider area in Nigeria due to time and financial constraints. problems and prospects.
1.7 Limitations Of The Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- 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).
- Initial Cooperation Delay 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.
1.8 Definition Of Terms
Accounting Education:
It is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Accounting education 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.
