CAUSES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS OF THE DECLINING MALE SCIENCE TEACHER ENROLLMENT IN ENUGU STATE (A CASE STUDY OF ENUGU EDUCATION ZONE)

ABSTRACT

The research invested the causes and possible solutions of the declining of male science teachers’ enrolment in Enugu Education Zone. The study is a survey research. A survey research because it collected and analyzed data on the causes and possible solution to the declining male science teachers’ enrolment in Enugu Education Zone. The study was carried out in Enugu Education Zone. There are 35 Secondary Schools in Enugu Education Zone, while 15 was selected as sample for the study. Number of teachers were used from the fifteen selected schools. Questionnaire was constructed by the researchers and administered to the respondents, which were collected and analyzed. The results were analyzed using. Mean and standard Derivation, Recommendation were made and also suggestions for further work.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

Education is the process that brings about the development of intellectual, physical and emotional qualities of children so that they may grow into useful and intelligent citizen. He further described specifically general education as being designed to develop the functional understanding of the essential elements of life and society which people must posses to live. The social demand for education has brought about the increase in the enrolment of students in schools this fact was confirmed by Nwaliani (2000) who pointed out that the social demand approach considers education as service that is demanded by the people just like any other goods or services. Thus, the free education at the primary and secondary school levels were response to the social demand by the people. The free education has perhaps led to a considerable increase in students’ enrolment in the schools and has creased demand for more equitable distribution of teachers to schools. Aghernta, (2000) added that the enrolment of students increased from 80,272 in 1996 to  142,560 in 2006 an increase of 78% while the number of  142,560 in 2006 an increase of 78% while the number of teachers in the schools rose from 3,264 in 1996 to 5,415 during the same period giving an increase of 66% (Ministry of Education 2006).

In 1878, science was taught to those who may not be able to further in science. Question arose about the existence of the three separate subjects. Advanced countries were developing and we are doing sciences without proper study. After this work of separating science subjects, a joint working section of representative from the core science committee made efforts to improve sciences.

By 1920s the nature study was not effective and new development in curriculum of the basic science and some cultural values as well as intellectual stimulation were brought into the curriculum. The National Science Foundation (NSF) independence agency of the federal government created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 as amended (Pub. L.31-597). The agency is responsible for promoting the progress of science and advancing the nations health, prosperity, welfare and security by supporting research and education in field of science.

With regard to Comparative Education Study and Adaptation Centre (CESAC) and educational development overseas that sponsored the (integrated science workshop) and the working section through all British Council in Nigeria. United National Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNIESCO) gave material support while Nigeria limited publishers published the hand books introduced in the workshop.

Adesina (1996) stated that this practice restricted science tending to only those in higher classes, however the period from 1968 to 1970 witnessed a series of joint effort by Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and Comparative Education Studies and Adaptive Centre (CESAC) to redesign science to meet the need of less science oriented students and to be taught in secondary schools. Since there are separation of the science subject into physics, biology and chemistry a lot of problems arise during the process because the numbers of teachers teaching these subjects are declining especially men, because they tend to look for more lucrative jobs. Therefore, we need to research into the causes and possible solutions to the declining male science enrolment.

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The ultimate aim of education is to provide knowledge of the World. In an effort to do this knowledge has been divided into a system of studies called subjects with science as one of the elements of the system. Science therefore attempts a unified view of the World thus some of these problems arose as a result giving birth to sciences in the post primary school curriculum of our school system. Some of these problems are:

a.  The causes of the declining make science teachers that could effectively teach sciences.

b.  The qualification of the teachers teaching sciences in our schools.

c.  The possible solution to the causes of the declining of the male science teachers in our schools.

d.  The interest of the students learning science.

e.  The availability of materials for teaching of sciences.

f.  The presence of science laboratories in the secondary schools.

1.3      PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study is to find the causes and lasting possible solutions to declining male science enrolment in the post primary schools in Enugu Educational Zone.

1.4      SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is very essential to the extent that it helps to identify the causes and possible solutions to the declining of male science teachers in our schools specifically in Enugu Educational Zone. The researchers expected that if the suggestions and proposition in this research work are implementation effectively and diligently, the complain on the declining of the male science teachers will be a game of the past. The research work will be of benefit to the following group of people.

a.  Government: The benefit is that there will be inculcation of the generality of Nigerians sense of pride towards science development by reviewing salaries of the male science teachers and this will improve the male science teachers’ enrolment in schools.

b.  The society: The benefit is that there will be mobilization of the entire society towards total sufficiently and self reliance in imported sciences.

1.5      SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study covers all the Government Secondary school in Enugu Education Zone.

1.6      RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study.

What are the causes of the declining of the male science teachers’ enrolment?

What are the possible solutions to the declining male science teachers’ enrolment?