EDUCATING FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA
Oluwagbohunmi, M. F.
Department of Educational Foundations and Management
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
E-mail: drmagfol@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The current socio-economic, political, religious, ethnic and technological situations in Nigeria call for urgent attention and solution. Dishonesty, injustice, corruption in high places, grossly inadequate provision of social amenities etc are problems people have to contend with. These problems would continue unabated if the educational system makes people ineptitude of the required skills for handling such situations. What the nation needs at this crucial time is development of desirable behaviours and virtues that are necessary to contribute meaningfully to national development in learners. This paper examines Social Studies as a means of educating learners and developing in them positive values, attitudes and norms that enhance national development as well as development of problem solving skills to solve the problems that impede progress of the nation. Using Social Studies as a tool, people can imbibe national consciousness and be educated on socially acceptable behaviours and values that are essential to move the nation forward in this 21st century.