THE EFFECT OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION ON HISTORY EDUCATION CURRICULUM FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For a start, I argue that colonialism, slave trade and missionaries are the pioneers of Western civilization in Africa. This is true to the extent that colonialism serves as a vehicle of western civilization in Africa. Colonialism, perceived in this context, is a forceful imposition of foreign rule over indigenous traditional political setting and foreign dominance and subjugation of Africans in all spheres of their social, political, educationally, economic and religious civilizations.

Western civilization began to creep into African socio-cultural settings, first, with the contact of Europeans with Africa, a consequence of Berlin conference in the quest for imperial theft of African resources and, later, consolidated by the unstoppable wave of globalization. It is important to stress that colonialism distorted and slowed the pace and tempo of cultural growth and trend of civilization in Africa. One of the most profound consequences of colonization has been how the political and economic rape of the colonies has also led to what sometimes seem to be an unbridgeable cultural gap between the nations that were the beneficiaries of colonization and those that were the victims of the colonial assault. The era of colonial pillage and plunder led to the relative stagnation and often precipitous decline of traditional cultural pursuits in the colonies.

Westernization could also be referred to as part of civilization; many countries believe that civilization represents western culture because civilization naturally originates from them. Many western technologies, cultures and customs like dress codes, hair styles, vehicles, buildings, music, language, educational development and materialism are introduced to different parts of the world.

Western influence and westernization have led to the extinction of indigenous languages and cultures of many societies in the world. Nigerian educational growth and development have suffered base on the adoption of western civilisation and values.

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The poor study in history education in secondary schools coupled with the poor academic performance of the few students who venture into history education has been a cause for a major concern as the rate of failure has continued to increase as the day progresses. The lack of effective adherence to the curriculum in secondary schools in the teaching of history education may have been the cause of these poor studies of history education. These poor adherences to the curriculum in history in education have resulted in the slow growth or complete stagnation of the educational system in Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine the effect of western civilization on history education curriculum for senior secondary schools in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1.  To examine the general effects of civilization on the educational sector of Nigeria.

2.  To determine the importance of history education in Nigeria.

3.  To assess the developmental level of history education in Nigeria.

4.  To recommend ways of improving the study of history education in secondary schools.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.  What are the general effects of civilization on the educational sector of Nigeria?

2.  What is the importance of history education in Nigeria?

3.  What is the developmental level of history education in Nigeria?

4.  What is the effect of western civilization on history education curriculum in secondary schools?

5.  What are the ways of improving the study of history education in secondary schools?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Western civilization has no effect on history education curriculum in senior secondary schools in Nigeria.

H1: Western civilization has an effect on history education curriculum in senior secondary schools in Nigeria.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would greatly improve the study of history education in Nigerian secondary schools. the study would also benefit students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing a further study on the subject matter.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the effect of western civilization on history education curriculum for senior secondary schools using Using somolu LGA Lagos state as a case study.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

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)

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.