Al-Hikmah University Central Journal
CHALLENGES TO THE UTILIZATION OF LEARNER-CENTERED PEDAGOGY FOR BUSINESS STUDIES IN EBONYI STATE
Abstract
This article ascertained the challenges to the utilization of learner-centred pedagogy for Business Studies in Ebonyi State. The design adopted for the study was a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study comprised (734) Business Studies teachers in 367 public and private secondary schools in Ebonyi State. The sample size of the study comprised 259 (male 117 and female 142) Business Studies teachers. Purposive sampling technique was used to draw only Business Studies teachers, who are core Business Educators out of the total population. The instrument for data collection for this study was a researcher designed 4-point rating scale questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Challenges to the Utilization of Learner-centred Pedagogy” (OCULP). The instrument was validated by three experts and tested for using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient which yielded an overall reliability index of 0.84. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions and t-test statistics to test the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. For any of the hypotheses to be accepted, the calculated-t value must be less than the critical–t value. Findings indicated those inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms and students’ poor attitude towards learner-centred pedagogy. It was recommended among others that students should be encouraged to change their poor attitude to the utilization of learner-centre pedagogy.