Promoting Civic Competence Among Pupils: The Need For Constant Training On Improvisation Of Instructional Materials For The Teaching Of Civic Education

Abstract

Civic Education as a core subject in Nigerian primary schools promotes the acquisition of civic competence in children who are the future leaders of our society. Civic competence in this context includes civic knowledge civic skills and civic attitudes. Civic knowledge involves understanding of political and civic rights, social and economic rights as well as children’s understanding of their roles, rights and responsibilities.  While civic attitudes are the traits necessary for a democracy, such traits are tolerance, public spiritedness, civility, critical mindedness and willingness to listen, negotiate and compromise. Civic attitudes encompass intrapersonal values, virtues, and behaviours. While, civic skills of communication, problem solving, critical and creative reflection, decision making, responsibility, respect for others’ values which include awareness of diversity and the attitudes and values of solidarity, human rights, equality and democracy. The study discussed the importance of instructional materials in the teaching of civic education, as it brings the reality of the child in the society into the classroom, hence, enhancing the development of civic competence in the pupils. It is also discovered among others that, insufficient fund hinders some civic education teachers from using instructional materials for the teaching of civic education, hence, the reason for the improvisation of instructional materials, that is making a substitute of instructional materials from local resources. Meanwhile, it was also observed that the use of improvised instructional materials deterred by lack of necessary skills for the teaching and learning of civic education teachers. Therefore, the study showed the need for constant training of Civic Education teachers on improvisation of instructional materials for the teaching of Civic Education in order to promote civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition in primary school pupils so that they grow to become effective and functional citizens of the society.   It was recommended that government through the Ministry of Education should constantly organise compulsory training on improvisation of instructional materials for the teaching of Civic Education and related subject.