Barriers To Effective Teaching And Learning Of Sexuality Education In Secondary Schools In Oshimili South Local Government Area Of Delta State

ABSTRACT

The study examined the barriers to effective teaching and learning of sexuality education in Secondary schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. To achieve the essence, the study was divided into five chapters. Four research questions were raise and answered in the study, related literature were reviewed in the study. The study used a descriptive survey. The population for this study consists of twenty eight (28) Biology teachers teaching in public Senior Secondary Schools in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire containing twenty (20) items and analyzed using mean and standard deviation and t-test for testing the hypothesis. The findings revealed that attitude of teachers affect the teaching and learning of sexuality education in school, attitude of students affects the teaching and learning of sexuality education in schools, facilities affect the teaching and learning of sexuality education in schools and qualifications of teachers affect the teaching and learning of sexuality education in secondary schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that sexuality education must be treated with utmost relevance by all parties just like any other subject in order to keep on meeting its objectives and even exceed it, trainings and workshops should be organized for teachers to help them to be adequately prepared to deliver quality sexuality education and school authority and government should provide the necessary human and material resources needed for the delivery of quality sexuality education in their schools.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Based on the challenges facing the present generation of adolescents in Nigeria with regards to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, rape, incest, illicit abortion and a host of others forms the bedrock for this research. The world has evolved and is in need of solution for these problems which sexuality education seeks to address (Broderick and Bernard, 2017).

A lot have been done with regards to sexuality education in Nigeria as seen by various studies. According to the Federal ministry of education (Nigeria), “sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming  attitudes, beliefs, value about one’s identity, relationship and intimacy which  encompasses sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships,  affection, intimacy, body images and gender roles”. 

UNESCO (2016) puts sexuality education as an age-appropriate, culturally relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically accurate, realistic, non-judgmental information. Over the years, the Nigerian curriculum has effected it in subjects like Basic Science, Physical and Health Education, Social Studies, etc., with its version of sexuality education called Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) curriculum.

Historically, some aspects of sexuality education are first offered in the family before any other influential factors like peer group, society, media, school, etc., in form of stories, talks, literatures, warnings, etc. Due to the importance of sexuality education and the neglect of certain aspects, it is usually now preferred to be called Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) which addresses biological, socio-cultural, psychological and spiritual dimensions of sexuality (Adrienne, 2017).

Various definitions have been given to sexuality over the years. Some regard sexuality only as sexual intercourse which is seen as a primitive view of it. National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms defines sexuality as a person’s behaviour, desires and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy with others. WHO (2016) tows the same line by giving sexuality as a central aspect to being human which comprises sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. This goes to show that sexuality goes beyond sexual intercourse but comprises of our entirety as being sexual beings.

Sexuality is also seen by some others as a person’s sexual preference like homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, etc. Sexuality is inborn and can be affected by factors like society, media, peer group, religion, family and school. Weeks (2003), puts sexuality as the cultural way of living out our bodily pleasure.

Ikpe (2004) gave sexuality as the very essence of one’s humanity including one’s self-image, being male or female, physical looks and reproductive capability, i.e. sexuality is a natural part of life. Sexuality gives rise to the need for sexuality education.

There is a perceived influence of sexuality education on the sexual behaviour of students. Adolescents have been seen to make better choices with relation to their sexuality like abstinence, increased age of first intercourse, use of contraceptives, withstanding peer pressure, positive view of themselves, etc. (Nwachukwu 2015).

Many think that teaching sex education in schools is equal to teaching sexual intercourse education. In fact, sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction and other aspects of human sexual behavior. Though teachers express commitment to teaching sex education in schools while some find it difficult and discomforting to teach sex education topics because there are shy in teaching the topic to the students and in such case their purposely seek the topic in their teaching plan (Rhodes 2014).

Having understood the concept of this sexuality education in teaching adolescence in secondary school, a lot of factor has been a barrier towards the effective teaching and learning of the topic in secondary school which are students inhibiting away from learning the topic simply because their think it is all about sexual intercourse, inadequate preparation of teaching material by the teacher, lack of mastering of subject by the teacher, lack of interest by students among others. It is on this note that the researcher seeks to investigate on the barrier to effective teaching and learning of sexuality education in secondary school in Oshimili South Local Government Area Delta State

Statement of the Problem

Despite the importance of sexuality education, one thing which must be realized is that the topic under discussion is not a matter of mere information but education. It has been observed over the years, that increased in an unplanned pregnancy tend to be one of the factor that has increased population of people in Nigeria. Abortion complication has accounted for 72% of all death rate among adolescents girls, and over 80% of dropout from schools in Nigeria. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) which is now the latest health problem is prominent among adolescents. The occurrence and prominence of these diseases has been attributed to the total lack of sexuality education among youth (students).

Today, the above has not changed for better, even with the introduction of sexuality into school curriculum. Most teachers seem not to have comprehended or understood the ways of teaching the topic. For example, teachers are biased (teaching what they want) about teaching sex education; they usually shy away from the topic, no modern facilities to teach sex education, the influence of electronic media on sex education, parental influence or views on sexual issues and cultural beliefs etc. could these be some of the impediments to teaching and learning of sexuality education in Secondary Schools. The study therefore seeks to assess the barriers or the constraints to the effective teaching and learning of sex education in secondary schools.

Research Questions

1. To what extent does attitude of school based sex educators influence the teaching and learning of sexuality education in school?
2. To what extent does student attitude influence the teaching and learning of sexuality education in school?
3. To what extent does lack of facilities influence the teaching and learning of sexuality education?
4. To what extent does qualification of teacher influence the teaching and learning of sexuality education in schools?

Research Hypothesis

H₁: There is significant relationship between male and female students of sexuality education in secondary schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.

 Purpose of the study

          The purpose of this study is to assess the barriers to the effective teaching and learning of Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. Specifically, the study sought to:

1. Identify the attitude of school based teachers towards the teaching and learning of sexuality education in schools.
2. Identify the student attitude towards the teaching and learning of sexuality education in school.
3. Identify how lack of facilities can affect the teaching and learning of sexuality education.
4. Identify how qualification of teacher can affect the teaching and learning of sexuality education in schools

 Significant of the Study

It is hoped that the findings of this study will bring about useful suggestions for students, parents as well as governments. Through the identification of these barriers, each of the stakeholders is definitely going to benefit. Parents will be better equip in all ramification to give their children necessary and proper information about sexual changes taking place in their bodies, so as not allow them get the wrong information from their peers, media, internet and magazine. While for some parents who are not informed, it will serve as a wakeup call that is, a reminder for them on impacting sexual education to their children and bringing them up in a good way. On the part of the ‘Teachers,’ they will be better informed and give proper training on sexual issues. It would equally help them in educating and reaching out to their students better. For the Governments, societies, and counselors will be better informed on the need to effectively inculcate sexuality education into school curriculum. It would equally help in the promotion of a sexually moral environment thereby reducing abortion, drug abuse, HIV&AIDS, unwanted pregnancies etc. Students on the other hand, will be better informed on how to relate better with their parents and peers on sexual matters. It will avoid a lot of social problem such as unwanted pregnancies, abortion, HIV&AIDS and drug abuse, thereby building a self esteem on how to make sound or better decisions.

Furthermore, the result of this study will produce information for the theoretical frame work basically for the understanding and a way to minimize or eradicate (if possible) these constraints from the school system.

Scope of the study

Sex education is a very broad topic. It is necessary for everybody not just students, but this study is limited to the assessment of the barriers to effective teaching and learning of sexuality education in secondary schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. It intends to cover a few populations. The reason is that the researcher will not have enough time to go round all the schools in Asaba city, so some schools were randomly selected.

Limitation of study

This study was originally designed to be conducted through the use of interview, questionnaires and observation as methods of data collection, but time factor and restricted it to only the use of questionnaires. Questionnaires that were not returned by some of the students or research population would as well affect the result of this research.

Delimitation of the study

This study is also delimited to Secondary Schools in Delta State (Asaba city).

Operational definition of terms

The following terms will be encountered in the course of this study and will be defined as operationally used in the study.

Teacher: A person teaches or instructs, especially as a profession; instructor. It is also a person whose job is to teach students about certain subjects.

Education: The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the power of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing our self  or others intellectually for mature life.

Teaching: The act or profession of a person who teaches. It is also the occupation or work of a teacher. It can be said to be an ideas or principles taught by an authority.

Learning: The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study experience, or being taught.

Student: One who is enrolled or attends classes at a school, college, or university.

Curriculum: This refers to the means and materials with which students will interact for the purpose of achieving identified educational outcomes. It is simply the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.

Personality: The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person

Sexuality:    Integral part of who one is, believe, feel and response to others.

Sexuality education:       The teaching and learning process that deals with sexuality.

Pages:  53

Category: Project

Format:  Word & PDF               

Chapters: 1-5                                          

Source: Imsuinfo

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.