CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF REINTRODUCTION OF HISTORY AS A MAJOR SUBJECT IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EDUCATION DISTRICT II, LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This paper examined the challenges and prospects of reintroduction of History as a major subject in Junior Secondary Schools in Education District II, Lagos State. Three research questions guided this study. The study employed survey research design. The sample size for this study was 108 History teachers in the 54 Junior Secondary Schools in the chosen education district. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The study found among others that the challenges facing re-introduction of History as a major subject in Junior Secondary Schools include inadequate African history textbooks, lack of qualified History teachers, inadequate instructional materials, and limited instructional time; and the prospects of reintroduction of History include nurturing critical thinking skills, fostering cultural appreciation and understanding, empowering students for informed citizenship, enriching students’ understanding of societal development, and preserving cultural heritage and identity. The study concluded that despite the challenges facing reintroduction of History, it is capable of fostering critical thinking skills, patriotism and national unity among the youths. The paper recommended among others that Lagos State Ministry of Education should launch awareness campaigns targeted at parents, students and the entire community to emphasise the importance and relevance of History as a subject in JSS; and government should allocate sufficient resources for procurement of instructional materials to support the teaching and learning of History.