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.