CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC VALUES AMONG SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS IN UPPER BASIC SCHOOLS IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

This study examined Citizenship Education and the Development of Civic Values among Social Studies Students in Upper Basic Schools in Delta State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Three hypotheses guided the study. The population comprised all Upper Basic Social Studies students in public schools in Delta State, while a sample size of 250 Upper Basic II students was used for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Citizenship Education and Civic Values Questionnaire (CECVQ), consisting of 25 items measured on a 4-point rating scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. The instrument was validated by three experts comprising two lecturers in Social Science Education and one lecturer in Measurement and Evaluation from university of Delta, Agbor, Delta State. Reliability was established using the test–retest method with 20 Upper Basic students outside the study area, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that students’ perception towards citizenship education significantly influences civic values, students’ attitude towards citizenship education significantly influences civic values, and challenges affecting citizenship education significantly influence the development of civic values among Upper Basic Social Studies students in Delta State. The study concluded that students’ perception and attitude enhance civic values, while challenges in citizenship education hinder their development. The study recommended that teachers should promote positive perceptions and attitudes towards citizenship education, adopt learner-centred teaching strategies, and that educational authorities should provide adequate instructional materials to reduce challenges affecting effective implementation of citizenship education.