SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION AND CIVIC EDUCATION IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Social Studies Education as a body of knowledge socializes and disciplines human beings within the human society for acceptable interactions. Civic Education is an important component of education that cultivates citizens to participate in the public li f e t o u s e t h ei r r i g h t s a n d d i s c h a r g e t h ei r r e s p o n s i bili t i e s wi t h t h e n e c e s s a r y knowledge and skills. Both subjects train man to socialise and be civilized.
Using the method of crit in this wise, the paper explores the role of social studies and Civic education in Nigeria’s national development. In doing so, the paper examines social studies education and civic education in the context of Nigeria’s philosophical goals as a nation, the objectives of social studies education, and civic education and how they can be used to achieve national goals and development and proffers some suggestions which include : public enlightenment and teaching basic tenets of social interaction among others. T he paper attempts to employ and apply the historical curricular, the critical - thinking, the community service, and the public achievement a p p r o a c h e s o r t h e o r i e s i n o r d e r t o d e m o n s t r a t e h o w t h e s e t h e o r i e s h el p i n t h e accurate analysis and explanations of th e role of social studies and Civic Education in n a t io n al d e v elo p m e n t. T h e p a p e r i n v e s t ig a t e s t h e h i s t o r i c al b a c k g r o u n d o f s o c i al studies and Civic Education in Nigeria, making references to the ancient Greek City States, medieval thinkers and United States before the then President Olusegun O b a s a n j o a d mi ni s t r a t io n a p p r o v e d i t s t e a c h i n g a n d le a r ni n g i n p r i m a r y a n d p o s t primary schools Nigeria in 1999. It also reflects the Nigeria’s need for social studies and civic education, acknowledges its challenges and appraises the fact that inspite of these challenges , the prospect of social studies and civic education still remain viable.
The paper concludes and makes prop osals on the way forward that: i n - house training c o u r s e s, s e mi n a r s, a n d w o r k s h o p s s h o uld b e o r g a ni z e d f r o m t i m e t o t i m e b y t h e Ministry of Education for all teachers of Civic Education. Policy - makers in education sector should make sure that the paucity of materials in teaching and learning of s o c i al s t u d i e s a n d C i vi c E d u c a t io n a r e d o n e a w a y wi t h o r r e d u c e d t o t h e b a r e s t minimum. Nigerians should note that the role of advancement of social studies and civic education is the concern of all and sundry, rather than government officials and teachers alone.