Questions: Compare and contrast the objectives of social studies in Nigeria

and those of Ghana.

Introduction: The Social Studies, as a subject in the Primary and secondary

school curriculum is a way to achieve National and Educational goals i.e. to ensure
that young people inculcate the right values and attitudes.

Meaning of Social Studies

Social Studies is the study of man and his environment. It focuses on making us
understand the interrelationship between man and his environment. It can be
described as a subject that studies the way man lives in his physical and social
environment. It is about how man influences his environment and how this
environment, in turn, influences him.

Objectives of Social Studies in Nigeria

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to
make informed and reasoned decisions as good citizens in a culturally diverse,
democratic society, and an interdependent world. Below are the specific objective

 To develop in students, the ability to adapt to their changing environment.

 To cultivate a spirit of patriotism: Patriotism and love of country must be
cultivated and nurtured in the soul of every citizen. Knowledge of the history of
statehood will be able to build and develop a strong identity
 To help us understand our environment, find out its problems, and be able to
solve the problems.
 To help us understand the usefulness of being good citizens of our country.
Social Studies is used to teach individuals what it means to be a good
 citizen, capable of contributing to the positive development of the Nation, by
being positive-minded and hardworking.
 To inculcate national consciousness and national unity
 To develop a sense of solidarity and sharing based on a sense of security in
one’s own identity.
 To identify the causes and consequences of environmental problems
 To inculcate social awareness and critical judgment as well as critical
thinking
 To foster interrelationship among people, as well as the relationship between
them and their environment
Objectives of Social Studies in Ghana
The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) cited in Parker (2001) states that
the primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to
make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a
culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

The Social Studies Objective in Ghana identified the following as the general aims
of Social Studies:
1. To develop the ability to adapt to the developing and ever-changing Ghanaian
society.
2. To develop positive attitudes and values towards individual and societal issues.
3. To develop critical and analytical skills in assessing issues for objective
decision-making.
4. To develop national consciousness and unity.
5. To develop enquiry and problem-solving skills for solving personal and societal
problems.
6. To become responsible citizens capable and willing to contribute to societal
advancement.

Conclusion:
The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to
make informed and reasoned decisions as good citizens in a culturally diverse,
democratic society, and an interdependent world.

Reference
Dynneson, T. L. & Gross, R. E. (1999), Designing effective instruction for
Secondary Social studies (2nd ed). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall

Inc. Glesne, C. (1999). Becoming qualitative researchers: An introduction. New

York: Longman.