Abstract:
Social Studies is the integrated study of the Social Sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the factos affecting teaching and learning of Social Studies in Junior High Schools at Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, Central Region. The study employed the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study‘s population was all 91 JHS Social Studies teachers and all 2419 JHS 2 pupils in the entire Junior High schools (JHS) in the district. The sample for the study was 546 comprising 91 Social Studies teachers and 455 JHS 2 pupils. Instrument for collecting data was questionnaires. The respondents took 20 -30minutes to answer the questionnaire Data were analysed using frequencies, means, standard deviation and t-test. It was found that both teachers and pupils affirmed that school-related factors such as (a) availability of library references in the schools, (b) adequacy of space in the library for learning, (c) adequacy of textbooks for students to use, (d) adequate facilities for teaching promote learning of Social Studies. There was no statistically significant difference in the scores of teachers and students (492) = 0.56, p = 0.58. Teachers identified that none of the teacher-related factors contributed to academic performance of students. That there was a statistically significant difference in the scores of teachers and students t (147.483) = -2.496, p = 0.014. It was recommended that Ghana Education Service should provide several opportunities to encourage the teachers in the AAK District to enhance their educational qualification. The Ministry of Education with stakeholders in education to provide adequate teaching and learning resources/ materials in the school.
