Level of Civic Knowledge and Attitude as Antidotes of Civic Engagement among Secondary School Students in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abdu-Raheem Bilqees Olayinka,Olorunda Sola Elijah

doi:10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.7n.4p.124

Abdu-Raheem Bilqees Olayinka, Olorunda Sola Elijah

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.7n.4p.124

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Abstract

The study investigated the level of civic knowledge and attitude as antidotes of civic engagement of secondary institution students in Oyo State. It also examined their attitude towards civic engagement. The research design is descriptive of the survey type. Population comprised all 411,912 public schools in urban and rural areas in Oyo State. Sample was 600 public school students selected using multistage sampling procedure. The instrument used was titled ‘Students’ Civic Engagement Questionnaire’ (SCEQ). The instrument was validated through face and content validity while reliability of the tool was established using Cronbach’s alpha method and a coefficient of 0.72 was obtained. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for the research questions raised. It was found that the level of secondary school students’ civic knowledge and engagement was moderate, while their attitude towards civic engagement was negative. Based on the results it is suggested that students be enlightened to take part in civic obligations in order to develop positive attitudes towards civic engagement. Additionally, non- governmental organisations should intensify efforts in campaigning and promoting civic duties as this could increase the awareness of the citizens.

Highlights

It has been observed that there are some delinquent behaviours exhibited by secondary school students in Oyo State, such as fighting, disobedient, truancy among others
Research Question 2: What is the attitude of secondary school students to civic engagement in Oyo State?
The findings revealed that civic knowledge of secondary school students was moderate

Summary

Introduction

It has been observed that there are some delinquent behaviours exhibited by secondary school students in Oyo State, such as fighting, disobedient, truancy among others. Students in secondary schools are supposed to actively participate, involve and engage in community development Critical to this is that social institutions such as family, religious, school and community-based organisations where civic dispositions and skills for action can be nurtured are up to the task (Adeyi, 2017). Students do not realise their duty to participate in community development which include clearing, digging, planting of flowers to beautify the environment and other community service that can promote unity and peaceful co-existence in the nation. It seems students are being used in negative ways by desperate politicians in the name of democracy, for example, by destroying electioneering processes or ballot snatching and rigging by over-voting among others. Jake (2016) posited that students should graduate from schools with the realisation that the knowledge and skills gained from their institutions are to be used for a career and development of their society. Adediran and Ajiboye (2017) observed that Civic Education is a subject which provides knowledge and skills for the youth to enable them to perform their expected roles and participate in the process of democratization

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