EFFECT OF BASIC AND FUNCTIONAL TEACHING METHODS ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN SHORTHAND IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

Federal College of Education (formerly ATC/ABU) Kano started from a very humble beginning in 1961 as Kano Men‘s Training College at the native authority loaned premises of Gwale Senior Primary School before it was moved to its permanent site in 1965. The college was established through the joint efforts of the United State Agency of International Aid (USAID) and the Ministry of Education of the then Northern Region under the distinguished leadership of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

The initial intake of thirty-four (34) students was pivotal student teachers that were usually those who had a Teacher Grade II certificate or those who had completed secondary school and desired to qualify as Grade II teachers. The five years advanced course began in January 1962 with an intake of 121 post primary students. Exactly a year later, the name of the College changed from Kano Men‘s Training College to Kano

Teachers College. In 1965, the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme was introduced in the College. This was based on the recommendations of the Ashby Commission 1960. With the commencement of the NCE programme the name of College becomes Advanced Teachers College.

In 1990, Federal Government took over the College with the promulgation of Decree Number 4 of 1986. With this development, the name of the College once again and later changed to its present name, the Federal College of Education Kano. The College has achieved autonomy in the running of Pre-NCE, Remedial certificate, Diploma and NCE courses. However, degree programmes are run in affiliation to ABU Zaria. Studies on teaching methods are not something new in educational research. A large number of studies have been done on this area. These show both increased interest and knowledge in

the area of teaching strategies and learning theories. Teaching is an attempt to help someone acquire or change some skill, attitude, knowledge, idea or appreciation.

EFFECT OF BASIC AND FUNCTIONAL TEACHING METHODS ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN SHORTHAND IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION