INFLUENCE OF THE USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES ON TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of human resources on the teaching of Social Studies in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Specifically, it examined the influence of teachers' experience, as well as their motivation, on the teaching process. The study was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses. A descriptive research design was employed. A sample of 200 teachers were used for data collection Data were collected using two researcher-developed instruments: the "Human Resources Questionnaire (HRQ)" and the "Teaching of Social Studies Questionnaire (TSSQ)." Both instruments were validated by three experts—two from Arts & Social Science Education and one from Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Faculty of Education, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State. Reliability was established using Cronbach alpha method, yielding coefficients of .79 and .82 for the HRQ and TSSQ, respectively, indicating high reliability. The instruments were administered and retrieved by the researcher and five research assistants through direct contact with respondents. Data analysis involved the use of mean and standard deviation to address the research questions, while paired sample t-tests were conducted to test the hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The results revealed that teachers' experience and motivation significantly influenced the teaching of Social Studies in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Additionally, the findings indicated a high level of influence on human resources on teaching outcomes. Based on these findings, it was recommended that school administrators prioritize hiring qualified and experienced teachers and invest in continuous professional development to enhance instructional quality. Teachers should also be adequately motivated through competitive remuneration, career advancement opportunities, and a supportive working environment. Moreover, curriculum planners should incorporate training on effective human resource utilization in teacher education programs to better prepare future educators.