CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Basic Technology is a part of the new system of education which began in 1982 in all federal government colleges, and gradually become adopted in all state secondary schools.

This system arose out of the need to provide self-reliance among Nigerian youths. The programme has been geared towards development of talent and skills to its beneficiaries in order to make them highly productive and self-reliant after graduation.

Basic Technology is one of the core courses offered at junior secondary school level. Owens (1990) defines basic technology as learning by doing, so that students can discover that technology is not something magical but something that is all around them. Makama (1987) defined basic technology as a subject, in the school curriculum which treats some aspects of technology at introduction level.

Areas of technology taught in this subject include: Electricity/electronics technology, metalwork technology, woodwork technology, building technology, auto-mechanics etc.

The importance of basic technology can not be over emphasized, more especially in the present situation. In recognition of its importance, the federal Government of Nigeria (1982) made it a compulsory subject in the curriculum of junior secondary schools in order to help student in the following ways:

1.          To expose student on how to use tools and equipment

2.          To give an introduction to professional studies in engineering and other technologies.

3.          To give training and impact necessary skills leading to the production of craftsmen, technicians and other personnel who will be enterprising and self-reliant.

4.          To encourage students in choosing of the trade in secondary school.

5.          To enable young men and women to have an intelligent understanding of the increasing complexity of technology.

In order to facilitate the attainment of these objective, the following were stipulated by the Federal Government (1982) for undertaking the course.

i.            Adequate qualified teachers and

ii.           Adequate workshop facilities.

Idris (1991) observed that the teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools is not effective enough to meet the objectives of the National policy on education due to lack of trained teachers and scarcity of facilities.

He also observed that lack of equipments also hindered teaching of basic technology. Even where the equipment are available, they are not installed instead they are left exposed to weather, and in some areas the equipment were kept aside due to lack of power supply.

Statement of the Problem

The research conducted by Idris (1991) revealed that teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools in Northern states of Nigeria is not effective enough to meet the objectives of National policy on education. Preliminary investigations were conducted by the researchers and it has been suggested that factors affecting teaching basic technology in Kaduna state include:-

i.            Lack of teachers

ii.           Scarcity of facilities.

But there is no empirical data to back these suggestions.

Purpose of the Study

The study is designed to investigate factors affecting the teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools. However, the researchers  concentrate on Sabon Tasha zone Kaduna. Specifically the study will examine:

i.            Adequacy of teachers of basic technology in junior secondary schools in Sabon Tasha Zone Kaduna

ii.           Adequacy of facilities for teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools.

iii.          Strategies for improving the teaching of basic technology.

Significance of the Study

Finding from this study will enable Kaduna state government to take necessary action in making some adjustment, correction where necessary in order to improve the teaching of basic technology in Kaduna state.

 Data on adequacy of teacher will help the ministry of education to plan or recruit adequate qualified number of qualified basic technology teachers to the schools. Also the data on availability of facilities will help the schools to understand the right material for effective teaching/ learning of basic technology.

Research Questions

The following research question guide the study

1.          How adequate are teachers of basic technology in junior secondary schools in Sabon Tasha Zone Kaduna?

2.          How adequate are facilities for teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools?

3.          What strategies can be adopted to improve the teaching of Basic Technology?

Scope of the Study

This study is restricted to factors affecting the teaching of basic technology in junior secondary schools in Sabon Tasha Zone Kaduna. It specifically focuses on adequacy of teachers and training facilities for teaching and learning of the subject.

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