Effects of Instructional Strategies and Gender on Junior Secondary School Students’ Achievement in Business Studies in Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
Business Studies is offered in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) as a subject meant to expose learners to commerce, office management, trade and book keeping. In spite of its importance, performance in the subject is below expectation in Rivers State. Previous studies revealed that brainstorming and field trip will improve learning outcomes but they are rarely used while teaching Business Studies. This study, therefore, determined the effects of brainstorming (BTM), field trip (FTTM), and conventional teaching methods (CM) and gender on secondary school students’ achievement in Business Studies. All the JSS 2 students (467) in the selected schools participated in the study. The treatment lasted for seven weeks. The instrument used was Business Studies Achievement Test (r=0.82), Data collected was analysed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. There was a significant main effect of treatment on students’ achievement in Business Studies [F(2,131)=26.70, partial η2=0.29]. Participants in FTTM had the highest mean (35.79), followed by BTM (35.71) and CM (27.54). Results revealed that gender did not have a significant main effect on students’ achievement in business studies [F(1,131) =.315, P> .05]. Brainstorming and Field trip teaching methods influenced learning outcomes of students in Business studies in Rivers state but Field trip method was better. It is therefore suggested that teachers should use both methods during Business studies classes.
Keywords: Achievement, Gender, Instructional Strategies, Junior Secondary School Students, Nigeria, Rivers State, business studies
Contributions of Faith-Based Organizations towards Peace Building for Sustainable Community Development in Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The paper is focused on the contributions of faith-based organizations in peace building process for sustainable development in Rivers state, Nigeria. The explanatory approach was adopted through secondary research materials to clarify understanding of concepts that formed major sub-headings in the discourse. The various views of researchers on the subject matter were adequately addressed. The key concepts in the study were also x-rayed. Activity areas of Faith- based organizations in peace building are highlighted. The study suggested among others, that the State and development agenciesshould synergize with faith-based organizations in areas of funding seminars on peaceful co-existence among the people. Also, Faith-based organizations should keep track of making peace among the people. This will enable them to offer early warning signals about conflicts to the government.
Keywords: Faith-Based, Nigeria, Organizations, Rivers State, peace building sustainable community development
Comparative Analysis of Factors Influencing Career Choices among Senior Secondary School Students in Rivers State, Nigeria. (Published)
The study investigated factors influencing career choices among Senior Secondary School Students in Rivers State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling techniques were adopted to select four hundred (400) Senior Secondary School Student from five Secondary Schools in Rivers State. The “Comprehensive Career Choice Survey” (CCCS) was administered to the respondents to collect necessary data. The t-test statistics was used to test three null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there were significant differences among male and female secondary school students in their career choices in terms of: Prestige of a profession, gender parity, and parental influence. Based on the findings some recommendations were made: (1) Professional career counsellors should be consulted to assist students in planning and choosing their careers. (2) Professional career counsellors should include the students in the selecting process, considering interest, ability, skills and personality of the students.
Keywords: Career Choices, Comparative Analysis, Nigeria, Rivers State, Senior Secondary School Students
TEACHERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. (Published)
The concern of the study was to investigate into secondary school teachers’ knowledge of climate, its impacts and mitigation strategies. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents for the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire named Teacher Climate Change Knowledge Question (TCCKQ). The questionnaire was structured by the researchers and validated by experts. The findings revealed that teachers have the knowledge of climate change impacts on man, animals, their environment, as well as the different mitigating strategies. Revealed also is the disparity between teachers’ knowledge of climate change in urban and rural secondary schools. The implication of the findings is that success of climate change education depends on the knowledge of the teacher on the subject. It is recommended that climate change education be introduced into the teacher training institutions and regular training and workshops be organized for teachers.
Keywords: Climate Change, Knowledge, Nigeria, Rivers State, Secondary Schools, Teachers