Benue State University, Makurdi

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT AND THE NIGERIAN CHILD: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Gabriel Odeh Ankeli, PhD
Physics Department College of Education, Oju
Benue State

Abstract

The Nigerian child accounts for about forty five percent of Nigeria’s population. Forty percent of children between the ages of 6-11 do not attend any primary school with the northern region recording the lowest school attendance rate particularly in insurgencies areas. It is estimated that about 4.7 million children of primary school age are still not in school despite the increased enrolment. There are many challenges in ensuring quality education and satisfactory learning achievement. It is not rare to see cases of 100 pupils per teacher or pupils sitting under trees outside a school building because of lack of enough classrooms. The number of school facilities and qualified teachers available for basic education remain inadequate for the eligible number of children and youths. This is more in urban areas where there is population pressure. Under these conditions teaching and learning science and technology cannot be effective. Science is an arduous human enterprise that dominates our lives and presents society with tremendous opportunities and challenges. It is exciting, perplexing, and enlivening yet seen by many students as difficult science. It is indictment that the common science and technology committee reported that many students loose enthusiasm about science. This paper describes the Nigerian child, defines the challenges faced by the implementation of quality science and technology education in basic schooling, the professional qualities of the ideal science teacher. The paper also discusses the essential qualities of a highly proficient science teacher, and the characteristics of a highly effective technology teacher. Suggestions are proffered towards addressing challenges.

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