Attitude of students of Bolgatanga senior high school towards the teaching and learning of social studies

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the attitudes of students of Bolgatanga Senior High School towards the teaching and learning of Social Studies. The study employed quantitative descriptive survey research design. A sample size of 234 students was selected using a multi-staged sampling techniques comprising purposive and simple random sampling technique. The study used questionnaire to collect data from students and data were analysed descriptively into frequencies and percentages using SPSS (version 22.0). The study findings revealed, students have negative perception about social studies. Also, the findings revealed, students have negative perception about lecture method and role play method of teaching social studies. However, they have positive attitude towards discussion and presentation methods of teaching and learning. Finally, the findings from the study showed, students rate mathematics ahead of social studies but rate social studies above integrated science and English Language as favourite subjects. They scored highest in social studies than the other three core subjects in their last end of semester exams. Also, in terms of importance to their future, students rate integrated science ahead of English, mathematics and social studies. Again, students rate integrated science as being more interesting followed by social studies, mathematics and English Language. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended, schools should be well-oriented on the importance of studying social studies as a subject in order to give it the serious attention it needs.