STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF BUSINESS STUDIES AT THE BASIC EDUCATION LEVEL IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused onstrategies for improving the functionality of business studies at the basic education level in Anambra State, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested. A descriptive survey research design was adopted.The population of the study was 467 (257 Principals and 210 Business Studies Teachers) in 257 public junior secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. No sample was carried out since the population was manageable for the researchers. A 12-items structured questionnaire validated by three experts was used for the study. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using test re-test method and was calculated through Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which yielded a co-efficient value of 0.87. Data related to the research question was analyzed using mean and standard deviation while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that respondent agreed that the strategies mentioned could be for improving the functionality of Business Studies at the basic education level. The findings also revealed that there no significant difference exist between the Principals and Business Studies Teachers regarding the strategies for improving the functionality of Business Studies at the basic education level. It was concluded that, Business Studies encourage students to develop a positive attitude to enterprise and eventually develop appropriate skills required in the world of work for effective functioning.It was recommended, among others, that Business Studies Teachers who are capable of teaching the core subject such as Commerce, Book-Keeping, Office Practice, Shorthand and Typewriting.

Keywords: Business studies, basic education level, improving, strategies.