TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES IN ADDRESSING POVERTY IN SABON GARI AND ZARIA LGA’S KADUNA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

The most pathetic feature Nigerian society today is that a majority of its

members are living in a state of destitution while the remaining relatively

insignificant minorities are living in affluence. These skewed economic relations do

not reflect the geographic spread of resources endowment. It is true that where one

comes from can be a strong determinant of one’s economic status because of

difference in opportunities and constraints. That is why every society is making

sure that her citizens are educated because education plays an important role in

the well being of any nation that want to sustain its prominence in the global scene

this is because education not only liberates, it is a vital tool for empowerment that

allows meaningful contributions to the development of a society as such, it is

believed that education is the foundation for sustainable lifelong learning that

enable learners acquire functional literacy as well as skills that will make himself

reliant. At independence in 1960, efforts to eradicate poverty in Nigeria have

centered more on education because poverty has no geographical boundary; it is

seen in the North, West, South and East. It is found in the rural as well as in the

urban areas of Nigeria. The World Bank recently reported that the sub-Saharan

African countries including Nigeria have the largest share of people living in

poverty according to World Bank poverty is hunger. The poor are those who are

unable to obtain an adequate income, find a stable job, own property or maintain

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healthy conditions. They also lack an adequate level of education and cannot

satisfy their basic health needs (Sancho, 1996) thus, the poor are often illiterate in

poor health and have a short life span (world bank 1995). They have limited access

to basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, decent shelter and are unable to

meet social and economic obligations they lack skills and gainful employment,

have few, if any economic assets and sometimes lack of self esteem (Olayemi,

1995).

Social studies was introduced in Nigeria on the national basis as part of the

general curriculum conference at 1969 National Conference at Lagos. At the

conference social studies was given primary importance as a tool for implementing

the national policy on education in 1977. It was a right tool to be used to instill in

the youths right values and attitudes. Thus, social studies could be seen as a

programme of study in our schools which is used to inculcate in the learners the

knowledge skills, attitude and actions considered important in human relationship

in the society. According to NERDC (2000) social studies is those common learning

of man’s interaction with his social and physical environment. It is not only a study

but a way of life of how man influence and is influenced by his physical, social,

political, economic and eternal environment. Obidoa (1991) highlighted the

following as some of the reasons behind the introduction of social studies into the

Nigerian educational system.

 To train Nigerians to be effective leaders and good followers

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 To enable Nigerians to know and use the resources of their physical

environment very well

 Through social studies we learn about our inheritance and our past and

present experiences and how to use these to solve our present problems

 To make people understand their culture and the culture of other Nigerians

 To help individual to develop and a good sense of moral and social

responsibility.

 Through social studies we develop a curiosity out of our environment.

 To make people realize the need for honesty, hard work and cooperation

with others in the society.

Social studies is centered around studying the problems in the society and

teaching the individual the best way of solving such problems. It is interesting to

note that any country have it’s peculiar problems which if not solve or minimize

may hinder the development of that country therefore through social studies

education, students are able to identify such problems and ways of solving them.

(Ogundare, 2000).

Ogunsanya (2000) relate to social studies education as field of study which

help to impart knowledge directly or indirectly of wealth creation this is because

what an individual need to live beyond poverty is just a push regarding wealth

creation thus social studies education is one study that encourages self reliance and

working in group to achieve a purpose.