PROBLEMS OF TEACHING HEALTH EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN LOGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

Description

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

Most people say that health is wealth; this means that, to be healthy means to be rich. However, it may sound mysterious how health is wealth. This can be seen in such a way that, many rich people spend huge amount of money to acquire health but end up in permanent sickness, then, it can be understand that, a person who is not rich will also be healthy. There exist numerous problems which are fighting against the effective teaching of health education in schools and colleges of education.

The question here is, what is health

The World Health Organization WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This means that, unless an individual posses these attributes physical, mental and social he/she is not healthy.

Also, Williams defines health as the quality of life that renders the individual fit to live most and to serve best.

Meanwhile, this first chapter of the research work deals with the introduction, background of the study, statement of the research problem, research questions, purpose of the study, significance of the study, delimination/scope and definition of terms.

1.1 Background of the study.

Logo local government area is one of the 23 local government areas in Benue state.

It was created in 1983 by late governor Aper Aku but later scrape by Buhari Idiagbon regime in 1984. The local government came back on board again 1996 by general Sani Abacha on 5^th December 1996 with its headquarter in Ugba. It is dominated by Tiv people, however there are other tribes living in the local government area, among them are: Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Etulo, Ijaw e.t.c

The population of the people living in the local government area is about 421054 people 2006 census, the inhabitants of the local government are mainly farmers by occupation. The produce crop such as yam, cassava, millet, guinea corn, rice, groundnut, soyabean, potatoes, Barbara nut e.t.c

The people participate in other activities such as fishing, hunting, weaving, carving, poultry e.t.c

The local government consists of 10 council wards, namely:

1. Mbayan

2. Mbadyul

3. Mbagber

4. Nemzev

5. Yonev

6. Turan

7. Tombo

8. Mbavuur

9. Mbagber

10. Ukembergya

The major markets in the local government include Ugba and Abeda

Geographically, it is bonded in the north by Wukari local government area of taraba state, in the south by Kastina Ala local government, in the east by Logo local government area and in the west by Guma local government area.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

The problems of teaching health education in Secondary schools in Logo local government area of Benue state is a point of concern, the researcher therefore tries to review and identify various problems that are responsible for this.

This research work is designed purposely to know whether there are enough health facilities or not, quality teaching staff or not, enough time allotted or not, and others.

The researcher ought to identify some of the problems that a working tirelessly against the effective teaching of health education as a field of discipline in Secondary school in particular and makes possible suggestions to the solution of such problems.

1.3 Research questions.

In carrying out this research work, the following questions are set to guide this study.

i. Are there health education specialists in your school

ii. Do you offer health education in your school

iii. Do you have health master in you school

iv. Does you school have a library

v. Is there enough health education textbook in your school library

vi. Do you have teaching aids in your school in health education

vii. Are there enough facilities and equipment of health education in

your school

viii. Do you have interest in health education classes

ix. Do you observe hygiene rules at all

x. Is there enough time allotted on the school time table in your school

1.4 Purpose of the Study.

The aim of this research work is to find out the problems of teaching health education in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The researcher then believes that, if the findings are successfully carried out,

It will help both teachers in the field already, teachers who may engage in

The field with time to come, teachers who are wishing to be one among the professionals in this field and the pupils/students to keep these problems in mind and adapt different strategies to wash off these problems that is, by finding possible and meaningful solutions which will help a lot in eliminating these existing problems and raise the subject to a greater point or height.

1.5 Significance of the Study.

This study intends to identify the problems militating against the effective teaching of health education in Secondary schools in Logo local government area with a view to analyze each aspect of teaching health education such as facilities and equipment, attitudes of teachers and pupils towards the subject health education and give recommendations on how to improve on them.

It explores possible ways of insuring the full utilization of inherent values of health education to Secondary schools through the careful analysis of problems from the teaching of health education. In this way, appropriate suggestions aimed at ensuring good teaching and organization of health education programmes based on this study.

This will also help the teachers in this discipline to explore their roles through acquisition of right value of health education among Secondary schools in the proper teaching gained not only in the classroom but also out side the classroom which is the practical application.

It is also important significant for the reason that, it wi1 help teachers in the field to impart the correct skills, knowledge etc both theoretically and practically in their preparation process which in turn is related to the quality of their personal life.

Simply, this work is significant to every living being as far as health is concerned.

1.6 Delimitation /Scope.

The fact that, Logo local government area of Benue state is a big local government area as far as Secondary schools are concerned, it is impossible for the researcher to research in all the Secondary schools within the local government area due to financial, economic and other constraints, the research or study therefore covers only five selected Secondary schools within the local government area.

1.7 Definition of terms.

Below are the definitions of terms as used in this study

i. Teaching: To give lessons to students in schools, colleges etc to help students learn something by giving information about it. Or a process of imparting knowledge, skills etc to the learners.

ii. Problems: Things that is difficult to deal with or understand.

iii. Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not mere by the absence of disease or infirmity.

iv. Education: A continuous process through which individuals acquire knowledge, skills and change positively in behaviour to be able to be useful to themselves and make meaningful contributions to the development of the entire society within which they Iive.

v. Health education: An organized teaching procedure directed towards developing understandings, attitudes and practices relating to health factors.

vi. Secondary schools: The first, original, earliest. Secondary schools are educational institutions where pupils first acquire knowledge, skills etc as their foundation of learning.

vii. Disease: An abnormal condition of an individual or part, especially a consequence of infection, inherent weakness or environmental stress that ImpairS normal physiological functioning.