CRAFTS AND SKILL EDUCATION IN CONTEMPORARY SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Graduates from secondary schools can maximally, contribute their quota to the development of this nation only if crafts and skill education is combined with the general education knowledge acquired.  This study investigated crafts and skill education in contemporary secondary schools for national development. Three research questions guided the study. Three null hypotheses were formulated. The population of the study was 1500 SSIII students. A sample of 186 students in Anambra and Benue States was sampled using cluster sampling technique. Purposive sampling was used to sample 10 schools in Benue state and 12 schools in Anambra state, making a number of 372 students. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The instrument used was a self-structured questionnaire. Three experts validated the instrument. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was computed and the results obtained alfa (α) value of 0.73. The null hypotheses were tested using independent samples t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that production craft, traditional crafts and metal-making crafts were not taught in secondary schools in Anambra and Benue states. The conclusion was that, it is now important that every serious Nigerian must embrace craft and skill education to promote national development. Among the recommendations was that ministries of education in Anambra and Benue states in conjunction with the federal ministry of information should liaise with social organizations to create more awareness to the public to see the need and importance of craft and skill education as one of the mediums for national development.

Keywords. Crafts and skills, education, contemporary, national development.