An investigation into the teaching of the topic Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Social Studies.A case of Selected primary schools in Kosirai Division, Nandi North District

Abstract

The study investigated the teaching of conflict and conflict resolution topic in Social Studies at the primary school level. It focused on the instructional methods, materials and the attitudes of teachers towards these. The theory which guided this study was the systems theory by Von Bertalanffy.It looks at the wholes and attempts to establish the relationship among the parts which are interrelated. The study was carried out through descriptive survey. The study population included Social Studies teachers in Kosirai Division. From this population, a sample was drawn where purposive sampling technique was used to select 45 teachers who taught Social Studies in standard seven. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires, document analysis and classroom observation checklist. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study showed that many of the primary school social studies teachers had not attended any in-service courses to induct them on how to teach emerging issues in the current primary curriculum like conflict and conflict resolution. The teachers also lacked sufficient instructional materials for effective teaching of the topic. A majority of the teachers used question and answer and discussion methods when teaching conflict and conflict resolution but left out other appropriate methods like role play, story telling and the use of resource persons. The teachers did not use these methods because they were not confident in applying them. The teachers considered instructional materials as very valuable since they made learning interesting and practical for learners. The conclusion drawn from the study was that the current preparation of teachers to teach conflict and conflict resolution was inadequate with regard to teaching methods, their ability to design relevant teaching and learning resources and using them effectively in the teaching and learning process. In addition the available instructional materials in sampled schools were wanting. The study recommended the need for Social Studies teachers to be retrained and sensitized on the appropriate instructional methods and materials for teaching conflict and conflict resolution. It also recommended the need for conducting focused in-service courses, seminars and workshops for primary social studies teachers. Instructional materials should also be designed and availed in diverse formats such as electronic media like TV s, radios, video cassettes, DVDs, computers as well as print media like newspapers and magazines should be made available to enable the teachers to handle topics on emerging issues like conflict and conflict resolution effectively