Democratic Idealism to Practical Reality: Examining Senior High School Students’ Perceived Challenges Toward Political Participation in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana (Published)
This study examined the transition from democratic idealism to practical reality by exploring senior high school students’ perceived challenges toward political participation in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design and employed stratified sampling techniques to select 400 respondents from selected senior high schools within the metropolis. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, as well as inferential statistics through one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that students encountered several challenges that constrained their active involvement in political participation. Key challenges identified included fear of rejection and victimization, insults, discrimination, political exclusion, exploitation, intimidation, and political violence, all of which negatively influenced students’ willingness to engage in democratic activities. Despite these challenges, the study found no statistically significant differences in students’ understanding of political participation based on age and grade level (form), indicating relatively similar levels of political awareness across demographic categories. The study concludes that sociopolitical barriers continue to undermine youth political engagement despite increasing democratic awareness among students. The study therefore recommends the inclusion of students in school and community decision-making processes to strengthen democratic consciousness, civic competence, and meaningful political participation among young people in Ghana.
Keywords: Civic Education, Democratic governance, Political Participation, civic consciousness, democratic engagement, senior high school students, youth participation
Effects of Field Trip on Secondary School Students’ Motivation and Achievement in Civic Education in Uyo Educational Zone, Nigeria (Published)
This study was conducted in secondary schools in Uyo Educational zone. The aim was to investigate the effects of field trip on secondary school students’ motivation and achievement in civic education in Uyo educational zone, Nigeria. It was a quasi-experimental design involving 80 JSS3 students. Using cluster sampling method, two junior secondary schools were drawn from 125 junior secondary schools in the educational zone. In both schools, the children were taken on field trips to have firsthand experience on the various topics and concept of Civic Education. The instruments for data collection consisted of researcher-made “Rule of Law, Human Right, Citizenship, Civic Responsibility and Democracy Achievement Test” (RHCCDAT). It also consists of the “Students Motivation Inventory” (SMI). The instruments were vetted by experienced Civic Education teachers in secondary schools as well as the experts in the field of Measurement and Evaluation. The reliabilities of the instruments as determined using 20 JSS3 students with a test-retest sub-sectional reliability coefficient of 0.75, 0.82, 0.66, 0.75 and 0.81. Then the students were given a follow-up test after a period of two weeks. Data collected using the instruments were subjected to analysis using independent t-test as well as paired sample t-test. Result indicated that there was no significant effect of field trip on students’ motivation (p=0.091>0.05). Field trip also had significant effect on students’ achievement in Civic Education (p-0.021<0.05). Finally, there was a significant retention effect of field trip as there was no significant difference between the posttest and follow up test scores. Based on this, it was recommended among others that educational implementers like teachers, governments as well as the school should re-evaluate field trip objectives and design to focus on motivation.
Keywords: Academic Achievement, Civic Education, Field Trip, Motivation
EXPLORING CIVIC EDUCATION FOR VALUE CLARIFICATION AND RE-ORIENTATION IN PROMOTING NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA (Review Completed - Accepted)
The present Nigerian state has lost her pre-colonial and pre-independence credibility as the country is characterized by selfish, uncaring interpersonal relations as well as materialistic values. This situation has led to serious socio-economic and political upheavals that have hindered development and progress. This paper therefore explored Civic Education with particular reference to value clarification and re-orientation for ensuring nation building in Nigeria. The conceptual framework envisioned the meanings of civic Education, nation building, value clarification and re-orientation. The paper further examined the ideals and values intrinsic in Civic Education before giving justifications for value clarification and re-orientation via Civic Education. Finally, it recommended among others that Nigerians must purify themselves of survival mentality and inculcate value ingredients of Civic Education for nation building.
Keywords: Civic Education, Nation Building, Nigeria, Value Clarification, Value Re-orientation.
Exploring Civic Education for Value Clarification and Re-Orientation in Promoting Nation Building in Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
The present Nigerian state has lost her pre-colonial and pre-independence credibility as the country is characterized by selfish, uncaring interpersonal relations as well as materialistic values. This situation has led to serious socio-economic and political upheavals that have hindered development and progress. This paper therefore explored Civic Education with particular reference to value clarification and re-orientation for ensuring nation building in Nigeria. The conceptual framework envisioned the meanings of civic Education, nation building, value clarification and re-orientation. The paper further examined the ideals and values intrinsic in Civic Education before giving justifications for value clarification and re-orientation via Civic Education. Finally, it recommended among others that Nigerians must purify themselves of survival mentality and inculcate value ingredients of Civic Education for nation building.
Keywords: Civic Education, Nation Building, Nigeria, Value Clarification, Value Re-orientation.