THE APPRAISAL OF THE TECHNIQUES USED IN TEACHING OF ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

The study was directly towards an appraisal of the techniques used in teaching economics in secondary school in the study area. In the course of this study the following findings were made thus; teachers should teach economics with lesson note and instructional materials and also conducive learning environment is highly recommendable for teachers and students. The specific objectives of this study are to determine the techniques used in teaching economics in secondary school, to extent teachers teaching habits dier in age, sex and class, examine students study habits through teaching and training. Questionnaire and oral interview were the method used for collecting data and frequency table and percentage were also used for data analysis. The sample size for this study was 378 which represents the whole population for the study and also random sampling techniques was used. It was recommended that qualified teachers should be in various secondary schools in the study area. Government should be also compensate teachers regularly, more classroom should be erected to maintain conducive learning environment.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

This chapter 1 deals intensively on the obligation of the secondary school in helping to promoting the full development of the individual morally, socially, intellectually and its contribution on the well being of the society in which he lives. Further more, the term curriculum of secondary school has been designed to meet the desired objectives of secondary education as stated in the secondary national development plan. These aims broadly stated as follows:- 1. Preparations for useful living in the society 2. Preparations for higher education To achieve these aims a member of school subject has been introduced into the curriculums in paramount among these subject in economics. Economics in a very important and exciting subject it deals with the day to day activities of man. Knowledge of economics enables students to spend wisely so that with resources at their disposal can be used to minimize their satisfaction. Economics prepares students to contribute positively to their rapid economic development of the nation. It inculcates the spirit of inquiry so that students can base their decision on facts rather than more sentiment. Simply, study of man’s judicious use of his limited resources for the satisfaction on his unlimited wants.

The popularity of this subject among secondary school students in evidenced by the increasing number of those who oer it in senior secondary school certificate examination of both WAEC and NECO. In order that student themselves can reap the benefit of studying economics at school; they should be able to organize their learning eiciently. It has been observed that in their bid to do this, students made use of various study habit depend on the teachers teaching methodology. Some prefer taking down notes during classes while others just listen to the teachers and later read their text books, some have private study time tables which they keep to while others prefer reading together and discussing the material studied. What then are problem in teaching economics? In the height of these observation, the researcher has deemed it necessary to investigate the problem and remedies of teaching economics in secondary schools in Enugu East Local Government Area. 1.2 Statement of the Problems In spite of the support system given to the education of secondary school students by the government, majority of the students either do not or partially achieve their aims of secondary school education.

This can be deducted from the increasing concern of the general public the unimproving standard of our educational system has regulated to the poor performance of students in various school subjects and inadequate teaching aid in the secondary school curriculum. This poor performance could be attributed atleast in part to inadequate preparation which can be related to poor study habit and problems of teaching methodology in Economics. This is because it is not uncommon to see brilliant students failing their examination as a result of poor teaching and poor preparation. Many students perform poorly in their academic work not because they do not have the mental ability to do well but because their teacher’s do not know or do not have or use the most eective method of study or teaching. In order to improve students academic performance in economics and also improve teaching economics, deliberate eorts have to be put in place by both teachers, government and parents to drill the students in the acquisition of appropriate study habit and improve teaching economics. In this study therefore, the researchers is poised to appraise the techniques used in teaching economics secondary schools.