Rational for Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools

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Rationale for teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School If a question had to be asked as to why social studies has to be taught in secondary school, one would have to first understand the meaning of social studies and the importance it plays in society. According to (Griffith and Barth,2006), social studies is the integration of social science and humanities concepts for the purpose of practising problem-solving/ decision- making citizenship skills on issues of personal and social concern. One of the significance of social studies is that it accentuates nation building in respect to the history, tradition, values and belief of a singular country. In light of above, one could certainly conclude that the rationale for teaching social studies in the secondary school involves citizenship education and social participation. In teaching citizenship education students will acquire the knowledge and skills that are critical to the development of the nation in which they reside. Some of the skills in which students ought to acquire as a result of the teaching of citizenship education are, gaining knowledge, processing information, examination of values and beliefs and participation. These skills help to mould students in an effort of becoming critical thinkers and informed citizens. Someone who is ignorant of the knowledge of social studies as a secondary school subject may argue why is it so important to learn and understand the nature of citizenship education on the part of the students. An adequate respond in regards to that individual inadequacy of knowledge and understanding on social studies would be that social studies prepare young people to take up citizenship responsibilities. To add, in order for one to live in a democratic society meaningfully one must learn the importance of the above citizenship
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