Constraints in English Language Teaching and Learning in Senior Secondary Schools: Strategies for Implementation

The study entitled 'Constraints in English Language Teaching and Learning in Senior Secondary Schools: Strategies for Implementation' seeks to unravel the myriad of problems in teaching and learning the English Language in senior secondary schools and offers strategies that can be implemented to salvage the situation. Learning to teach is more than simply knowing the results of research and theory; it always involves learning the ‘craft’ of classroom exposition, explanation, organization, and guidance. The desired outcome of the language learning process is the ability to communicate competently, not the ability to the ability to use the language exactly as a native speaker does. To guide the study, three research questions were posed. The questions examined the following three variables: (1) the constraints in teaching English; (2) the constraints in learning English; and (3) strategies for implementation in senior secondary schools. The research will be carried out in two senior secondary schools in Kenema City, Eastern Sierra Leone (Government Senior Secondary School and Methodist Senior Secondary School). The study revealed that: the lack of adequate teaching and learning materials, poor pedagogical and academic subject matter competency, and the negative attitude of students towards the English Language, account for the major constraints in the teaching and learning of the subject.

ASSESSING CO-EDUCATION AND CHEMISTRY ATTAINMENT IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF SIERRA LEONE

This study covered nineteen senior secondary schools in the Northern region of Sierra Leone. The study is aimed at assessing the comparative attainment of pupils in single-sex and co-educational schools. A desk study of secondary data wherein documents and records relating to appropriate data sources were studied to obtain background information on co-education and chemistry attainment. A sample size of eight hundred and fifty seven (857) pupils from nineteen (19) senior secondary schools in the Northern regions of Sierra Leone who sat to the chemistry papers in the WASSCE of 2019. The study revealed that the proportions of credit and above in chemistry for boys and girls in single-sex schools are significantly higher than those of their counterparts in co-educational schools, and that the proportion of bare pass for boys is higher than that of girls, irrespective of whether the pupils are in single-sex or co-educational schools. Girls should do better as well as boys in chemistry if given the opportunity to do it and if provided with adequate motivation.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS’ WORKING EXPERIENCE AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BAUCHI, DUTSE AND GOMBE STATES

Purpose: This study investigated the School administrators’ working experience and students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools in Bauchi, Dutse and Gombe states of Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted the descriptive research designed of the correlation type. Thirty (30) senior secondary schools administrators were selected and used as the respondents to this study, ten school administrators from each state. The instruments used to collect relevant data were school administrators’ working experience check list and a self-designed questionnaire developed by the researcher, it was titled School Administrators’ Working Experience and Students’ Academic Performance (SAWESAP). The questionnaire was validated by two experts, one in the area of educational administration and planning, one in the measurement and evaluation both from Faculty of Education, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State. Their suggestions and recommendations were incorporated into the final version and the reliability coefficient index of 0.73 was obtained after test-re-test with two weeks interval. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). One hypothesis was formulated and tested. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) Coefficient analysis procedure was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 significant levels. Findings: The results of the analysis showed that, there was significant positive correlation between school administrators’ working experiences and students’ academic performance. Unique Contribution to Practice and Policy: Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, school administrators’ experience will be considered when it comes to placement and promotion of school administrators that would enable them perform maximally in managing and handling human and material resources.

Psychosocial Effect of Motivational Incentives on Senior Secondary Schools Teachers’ Work Effectiveness in Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study investigated the psychosocial effect of motivational incentives on Senior Secondary Schools teachers’ work effectiveness in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The population of this study consisted of 162 school administrators and 74 teachers selected from 58 Government owned Senior Secondary Schools in Adamawa State, from a which a sample of 40 respondents were selected using purposive sampling technique. Motivational Incentives and Teachers’ Effectiveness Questionnaire (MITEQ) was used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that there is lack of service improvement, seminars, and inadequate provision of teaching and learning materials. Teachers are always internally motivated, inconsistent performance evaluation, promotions are not awarded as at when due, and issuance of query letters at slightest provocations by principals. The also revealed that, motivation is the backbone of effective service delivery. This study also revealed that motivational incentive has significant effect on teachers’ work effectiveness and that there is no significant difference between male and female teachers’ reaction and response to motivational incentives. No significant difference was found between different types of motivation incentives and their effect on senior secondary school teachers’ work effectiveness in Adamawa State. The study recommended others that the government as a matter of urgency The study recommends the provision of regular performance enhancement seminars for teachers, adequate provision of teaching and learning materials, prompt payment of teachers’ salary and other monetary incentives and teachers should be internally motivated on the job. For the incentive to have the intended impact on teachers the study recommend that it should be awarded only to those teachers who actually exhibit the intended behaviours and such incentives should be distributed based on collaborative performance rather than on individual performance.

TEACHER-STUDENTS CLASSROOM INTERACTIONS OF PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS III IN KATSINA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

The paper investigates the teacher-student interactions during English lessons at SS III Public Schools of Katsina Metropolis. The reason that triggered the research was the mass failure of students especially at Senior Secondary Examinations. The paper used the constructivist theory as a theoretical framework. It also used teachers’ and students’ questionnaires, a Target Language Observation Scheme (TALOS) and audio recorded lessons in the schools observed as instruments for data collection. Six schools were examined out of twelve. A total number of 6 teachers and 132 students were selected as the sample of the study. All six teachers were observed, and the lessons were recorded at different times. Simple Frequency Counts and Percentages were the basis used for the analysis of the data collected. The findings revealed that teacher-student interactions need to be improved as teachers gave room for the students to participate in the interactions but unfortunately, they remained idle in the class. For this reason, most of the class activities were solely performed by the teachers. Keywords: Teacher-students, Classroom, Interactions, Target Language Observation Scheme

Knowledge of Traction Alopecia and Hair Care Practices among Adolescents in Keffi, North-Central Nigeria

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Traction alopecia (TA) is the commonest cause of hair loss among women, with a prevalence of 46.2% in Nigeria. Adequate knowledge and good hair care practices can assist in its prevention. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to determine knowledge of both TA and hair care practices among adolescents in Keffi, Nigeria. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 333 female adolescents in 3 senior secondary schools between November 2019 and February 2020. The participants were randomly selected and interviewed using a questionnaire which sought information about the knowledge of TA and hair care practices. The data were analysed using SPSS 25 statistical software. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, the knowledge score was poor in 61.4% of the adolescents. Hair plaiting 86.8% (289/333), use of chemical relaxers 68.8% (229/333), and use of hair covers 88.3% (294/333) were the predominant hair care practices. In total, 90.8% had concurrently relaxed and plaited their hair. Cornrows with own hair were the commonest hair grooming style. The use of hair attachments was believed to be the commonest cause of TA. The use of hijab was the commonest form of hair cover used. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The knowledge of TA is poor among female adolescents. A large number engaged in risky hair care practices. Interventions to reduce the knowledge gap will reduce the prevalence of TA. <b><i>Key Message:</i></b> The knowledge of traction alopecia is poor among female adolescents in Keffi who engage in traumatic hair practices.

Coping with Covid-19: Forging Creative Pathways to Support Educational Continuity Amidst the Pandemic

The pandemic has forced all educational institutions to grapple with challenges. Throughout this time Symbiosis International University (SIU) in India has been proactive in leading change not only at the university but also in K-12 schools. While the university transitioned to virtual teaching and learning, a methodical approach was laid out in assisting its eight elementary and senior secondary schools in both urban and rural areas, through the Symbiosis Schools Central Directorate (SSCD), to adapt to the needs of a public health crisis. While connectivity challenges continue to haunt schools, especially in rural areas, training and capacity building of K-12 teachers and administrators by university professors and experts has been a saving grace in navigating the pandemic.The focus of this case is understanding the parallels and the partnership between SIU and its K-12 schools. It reflects a bottom-up approach in dealing with the pandemic where Symbiosis Society, the non-profit organization that has established the schools as well as the University, invested in teacher capacity building at its elementary and secondary schools through its Symbiosis Schools Central Directorate (SSCD) in both rural and urban areas to ensure continuity of teaching and learning while adapting to this new normal. The investment in teacher capacity building has enabled the leadership to address the emerging circumstances, stimulate momentum to create or demand needed change at their institutions, inspire peer learning, and foster innovation in strategy and practice for the greater benefit of its stakeholders including students and parents.This case study reflects on SIU experiences in dealing with the dynamic circumstances such as training and capacity building with respect to supporting teachers in developing skills to adapt their content to virtual mode, blended learning, and integrating Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into the curriculum. In addition, SIU had to counsel students and parents to adapt to this new way of learning. SIU’s experience encompasses a coordinated approach of working with internal and external stakeholders to develop a response to the crisis, short-to-medium-term strategic planning in the face of uncertainty, exploring technology solutions, partnership management, and effective communication processes with its stakeholders. Special emphasis has been put on ensuring the mental and physical wellbeing of the learner, constant communication and guidance to parents, and virtual activities to promote community engagement to mitigate the loss of physical social interactions at this crucial time.