ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ECONOMICS CURRICULUM IN KAGARKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the implementation of the Senior Secondary School Economics curriculum in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the extent of curriculum implementation, availability of instructional materials, teaching methods, student engagement, teacher qualifications, professional development, and challenges affecting effective implementation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised students, Economics teachers, and school administrators in senior secondary schools within the study area, from which a sample of 336 respondents (300 students, 24 teachers, and 12 administrators) was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that while basic instructional resources such as textbooks were relatively available, modern instructional facilities including ICT tools and audiovisual materials were largely inadequate. Teachers’ qualifications and professional development were found to be critical to effective curriculum implementation, while inadequate resources and institutional constraints significantly hindered successful delivery. The results further showed no significant differences in perceptions between students and teachers regarding curriculum implementation challenges, indicating a shared understanding of the issues across school locations.