PERCEPTION OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ON BASIC EDUCATION AND VALUE SYSTEM IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the perceived relevance of value in the contemporary society. It also investigated the perception on the appropriateness of teaching of value education at basic level and finally determined the challenges confronting teaching of value at basic education level. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of final year pre-service teachers in Colleges of Education in Osun State. The sample size was made up of 300 pre-service teachers selected from the existing five Colleges of Education using proportionate sampling technique. Three research questions emanated from the study. An instrument tagged 'Basic Education and Value System Questionnaire' (BEVSQ) was used to collect data for the study. The data were analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentages, means, standard deviation and rank. The study revealed that value is a basic ingredient for the existence of any society and for effective living, hence a high perception. It was also revealed that value should be taught at basic level of education. Also, value disorientation (M=3.62, SD=0.65), home background (M=3.55, SD=0.77), misconception of ideas (M=3.53, SD=0.75) are the major challenges confronting the teaching of value at basic level of education. The study concluded that Education will surely be incomplete if it didn't involve the study of human values that can help every child become a kinder, compassionate and empathetic individual thus nurturing emotional intelligence in every child. The study therefore recommended that essential values for basic living should be inculcated and taught at basic level of education which will serve as basic foundation for future development of a child.