Examining the Challenges in the Implementation of Upper Basic Curriculum in Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relevance of curriculum as the foundation of education at the upper
basic level in Nigeria: challenges and way forward. Three research questions and three hypotheses
were generated to guide this study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target
population for this study was 4361 respondents made up of 66 principals and 4295 teachers from the
66 public secondary schools in Gombe State. Sample for this study was 44 principals and 200 teachers
selected from public secondary schools in Gombe state of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used
as an instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard
deviation. The null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. The
findings of this study showed that the relevance of curriculum as the foundation of education at the
upper basic level are that it boosts the reputation of schools, enhance upper basic education,
determines the principles and procedures which will help educators in selecting and arranging
instructional programmes, helps in the realization of educational objectives, helps teachers and
instructors deliver quality content that is properly arranged among others. The findings of the study
disclosed that the challenges of curriculum as the foundation of education at the upper basic level
include inadequate planning and implementation of the curriculum, non-involvement of teachers in the
planning stage of the curriculum, non-payment of teachers’ salaries and other incentives, inadequate
supply of human and materials resources in the school among others. The findings of the study unveiled
that the way forward to the challenges of curriculum as the foundation of education at the upper basic
level include adequate planning and implementation of the curriculum, teacher’s involvement in the
planning stage of the curriculum, regular payment of teachers’ salaries and other incentives, adequate
supply of human and materials resources in the school among others. The study recommended that the
government should ensure better conditions of service, remuneration, job mobility and promotion for
teachers. The government must ensure better funding of education to guarantee adequate
infrastructure, school materials, supply of equipment to the laboratories and workshops.