FEMINIZATION OF THE TEACHING CORPS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR MUSIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS: A STUDY OF SIX SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE (2007-2023)

Abstract

This paper examined the unprecedented predominance of women in the teaching profession known as the ‘feminization of the teaching corps’ and how it has affected music over the span of sixteen years in primary and secondary schools of Anambra state, Nigeria. Six schools were studied which comprised of four primary and two secondary schools within Onitsha metropolis of Anambra state. Data was sourced through interviews, questionnaires, and participant observations by the authors as music teachers in the respective schools. Findings showed that the taking over of the teaching profession by women has affected music studies in schools adversely due to the complicated and physically demanding nature of music studies which cannot be handled effectively by only the women. Such areas of musicology as raising a school parade band, raising a school orchestra, and the teaching of physically demanding musical instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, tuba, etc., have seriously being diminished. The paper advocates that a situation of emergency be declared in schools regarding music in order to resuscitate music. Also incentives should be engaged by government and schools to make the teaching profession lucrative in order to attract and sustain male music teachers in schools.