EFFECT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ECONOMICS SUBJECT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL AT YABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of community resources on the teaching and learning of Economics in senior secondary schools within Yaba, Local Government Area, Lagos State. The research focuses on how various local assets—such as libraries, industries, financial institutions, museums, professionals, and cultural centers—contribute to the effectiveness of Economics education. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, using a sample of 120 Economics teachers and students randomly selected from five senior secondary schools. A simple random sampling method was used to select 24 participants in the area. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis (Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis). The findings reveal that teachers' utilization of community resources is crucial and significantly enhances the teaching and learning of Economics, if utilized effectively, promoting student engagement, understanding, and academic performance. Teachers who incorporate field trips, guest lectures, and practical experiences report higher student engagement and understanding of economic concepts. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and lack of resources hinder the effective utilization of community resources. The study recommends that policymakers and educators prioritize the provision of community resources, supporting teachers in integrating these resources into their instructional practices, institutionalizing partnerships between schools and community organizations to enrich the Economics curriculum, advocating for training teachers to harness local resources effectively. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the integration of community-based assets into the educational system bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications
