ABSTRACT
The study attempts to examine the relevance of social studies as a core subject in schools; A case study of selected Junior secondary schools in Oredo local government area of Edo State. The research method included the use of questionnaire and oral interviews. A total of about sixty respondents were used. Research questions postulated were as follows: 1. What are the benefits of teaching social studies in schools? 2. Are adequate institutional materials used in teaching the subject? 3. Are the teachers encouraged to teach the subject matter? A simple percentage analysis was used to collate data. The study preferred some basic recommendation to up lift the teaching of the subject-social studies in school.
These core subject are basic subjects which will enable students oers and study a particularly course inn the high institution of need be. Take note there is no special studies in this curriculum. Social studies is a field of study or subject in schools. It is an inner disciplinary one. From its introduction till date, there remains confusion and disagreement as to what social studies is should be. The rational content and approach of social studies differs depending ion the needs and conditions of the society it serves. Ethiopia: in Ethiopia social studies is seen as a means to transform the political culture of the people. Gham: it is used as a weapon for economic emancipation. Japan: it is used for building the foundation for a democratic society. Nigeria: it is used to inculcate nationalism and unity among its diverse people. Sierra Leone: see it as a means of improving their self-image after colonial rule. United states: view it as the development of social problems solving abilities at one time and also acknowledge for effective citizenship during a different time and as integrated and adapted social sciences for the school as yet another time. West Germany: regard it as a means of developing a new order each view is a reaction to different situation as the case may be. The department of curriculum development and evaluation (undated) defines social studies as the study of ma, the way he behaves and organizes in group, his relationship with his physical and social environment and interaction with them considering the past, present and emerging in future.
Kesock (1981) defines social studies as a programme, which a society uses to instill in students the knowledge, skills attitudes and action. It consider important relationship human have with each other their world and themselves. Dubey (1986) see it as a program of education, which utilizes the study of human life for the purpose of given children the opportunity to practice solving the problems of crucial importance, both for the individual and society. It is based on the common learning of mans interaction with his social and physical environment. Salav (1991) defines it as the study of man and his physical environment. As Ulehe (1980) put it, social studies provide people understanding their physical and human environment in order to act as responsible citizens. Newman (2003) defines it as a unit of course or study based on the social sciences e.g. history, geography, economics, psychology, government and anthropology. Social studies came into existence in Nigeria in 1916 when the national education organisation decided the less emphasis should be placed on memorizing factual information and more preparing people for the future. Such preparation requires that attitudes and skills be taught along side with knowledge,. At this time social studies was considered integrated curriculum combing the already established history and geography with newer social studies it should be noted that Nigeria inherited the colonial form of education which upon independence was seen as irrelevant to the need to change the school curriculum for a relevant one become necessary in Nigeria. Also the agitation to formulate policies and change the existing curriculum gained momentum among local elites, farmer and concerned individual. to this end, effort made to fashion out the type of education future African citizens should have.
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