PROBLEMS OF TEACHING HEALTH EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0

Introduction

Most people say that health is wealth; this means that, to be healthy

means to be rich. However, it may sound mysterious how health is wealth.

This can be seen in such a way that, many rich people spend huge amount of

money to acquire health but end up in permanent sickness, then, it can be

understand that, a person who is not rich will also be healthy.

There exist numerous problems which are fighting against the

effective teaching of health education in schools and colleges of education.

The question here is, “what is health?”

The world health organization defines health as a state of complete

physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease

or infirmity. This means that, unless an individual posses these attributes

(physical, mental and social) he/she is not healthy.

Also, Williams defines health as the quality oflife that renders the individual

fit to live most and to serve best.

Meanwhile, this first chapter of the research work deals with the

introduction, background of the study, statement of the research problem,

research questions, purpose of the study, significance of the study,

delimitation/scope and definition of terms.

1.1 Background of the study.

Ukum local government area was curved out of Katsina-Ala local

government on the 1st October 1991 under the regime of General Ibrahim

Banbangida (Rtd). The local government head quarter is Sankara, situated in

the north-east of Benue state.

Ukum local government swhares boundaries with Wukari in Taraba state in

the east, in the south-east and south-west by Katsina-Ala and Logo local

government areas respectively. It has a population of 183,422 people (1991

census) and a land mass of 429.10 km2. The inabitants of the local

government predominantly are Tiv farmers. Others include; Rausa, Tho,

Idoma, Udam who are mainly traders.

Ukum local government area is made up of thirteen council wards namely;

1. Kendev

11. Kundav

111. Uyam

IV. Mbatiam

v. Borikyo

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VI. Ugbaam

Vll. Mbayenge

Vlll. Mbazum

IX. Azendeshi

X. Tyuluv

Xl. Tsaa

XlI. Lumbuu

XlII. Atereyange

The local government area has about 155 secondary schools. The main occupation of the people living in the local government is farming, though, some people depend on trading but such people are mostly visitors as mentaioned earlier.

The main food crops produced are: yam, rice, cassava, groundnut, beniseeds, pepper, tomatoes, guinea com, beans and so on. Some of the mentioned food items are sold out for money even though they can be consumed as food and others are mainly for food.

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1.2 Statement of the research problem

The problems of teaching health education in Secondary schools in Ukum local government area of Benue state is a point of concern, the researcher therefore tries to review and identify various problems that are responsible for this.

This research work is designed purposely to know whether there are enough health facilities or not, quality teaching staff or not, enough time allotted or not, and others.

The researcher ought to identify some of the problems that a working tirelessly against the effective teaching of health education as a field of discipline in Secondary school in particular and makes possible suggestions to the solution of such problems.

1.3 Research questions.

In carrying out this research work, the following questions are set ot guide this study.

1. Are there health education specialists in your school?

11. Do you offer health education in your school?

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111. Do you have health master in you school?

IV. Does you school have a library?

v.

Is there enough health education textbook in your school) library?

VI. Do you have teaching aids in your school in health education?

VII. Are there enough facilities and equipment of health education In

your school?

.. -,

Viii. Do you have interest in health education classes?

IX. Do you observe hygiene rules at all?

X. Is there enough time allotted on the school time table In your

school?

1.4 Purpose of the study.

The aim of this research work is to find out the problems of teaching

health education in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The researcher then believes that, if the findings are successfully carried out,

it will help both teachers in the field already, teachers who may engage in

the field with time to come, teachers who are wishing to be one among the

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111.

professionals in this field and the pupils/students to keep these problems in mind and adapt different strategies to wash off these problems that is, by finding possible and meaningful solutions which will help a lot in eliminating these existing problems and raise the subject to a greater point or height.

, 5 • .5 Significance of the study.

This study intends to identify the problems militating against the effective teaching of health education in Secondary schools in Ukum local government area with a view to analyze each aspect of teaching health education such as facilities and equipment, attitudes of teachers and pupils towards the subject health education and give recommendations on howto improve on them.

It explores possible ways of insuring the full utilization of inherent values of health education to Secondary schools through the careful analysis of problems from the teaching of health education. In this way, appropriate suggestions aimed at ensuring good teaching and organization of health education programmes based on this study.

This will also help the teachers in this discipline to explore their roles through acquisition of right value of health education among Secondary

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schools in the proper teaching gained not only in the classroom but also out

side the classroom which is the practical application.

It is also important (significant) for the reason that, it wi1 help

teachers in the field to impart the correct skills, knowledge etc both

theoretically and practically in their preparation process which in tum is

related to the quality of their personal life.

Simply, this work is significant to every living being as far as health IS

concerned.

1.6 Delimitation /scope.

The fact that, Ukum local government area of Benue state is a big

local government area as far as Secondary schools are concerned, it is

impossible for the researcher to research in all the Secondary schools within

the local government area due to financial, economic and other constraints,

the research or study therefore covers only five selected Secondary schools

within the local government area.

1.7 Definition of terms.

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112.

Below are the definitions of terms as used in this study?

i. Teaching: To give lessons to students in schools, colleges etc to help students learn something by giving information about it. Or a process of imparting knowledge, skills etc to the learners.

11. Problems: Things that is difficult to deal with or understand.

iii. Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not mere by the absence of disease or infirmity.

IV. Education: A continuous process through which individuals acquire knowledge, skills and change positively in behaviour to be able to be useful to themselves and make meaningful contributions to the development of the entire society within which they Iives.

v. Health education: An organized teaching procedure directed towards developing understandings, attitudes and practices relating to health factors.

VI. Secondary schools: The first, original, earliest. Secondary schools are educational institutions where pupils first acquire knowledge, skills etc as their foundation of learning.

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Vll. Disease: An abnormal condition of an individual or part,

especially a consequence of infection, inherent weakness or environmental stress that ImpairS normal physiological functioning.