Factors Influencing Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers' Choices to Become Service Teachers in Nigerian Secondary School System

Abstract

Folasade Busayo Ojobola, Femi. Emmanuel Babalola

Teaching is a job for a person whose mind is alert, whose intelligence is superior and whose opinion is pontific. These are the very parameters for dignity and respect. Conversely, a country’s level of development and growth depends on the quality of education given to its citizenry by the teachers, and as such, teachers’ attitude, willingness, motivation, perception of the teaching profession and love for the teaching profession would go a long way in achieving the desired national growth. It is unfortunate however that given the enormous responsibilities bestowed on the teacher by his calling and society, his condition of service particularly in Nigeria remains pitiable and interests in choosing the teaching profession dwindles as times go by. To this end, this research explored the factors influencing pre-service Chemistry teachers’ choices to become service teachers in Nigerian Secondary School at Federal University, Oye- Ekiti, Nigeria. The study adopted quantitative method using descriptive survey. A survey Questionnaire was the main instrument used to solicit primary data from the respondents. The items of the survey questionnaire were developed on the basis of factors influencing students’ choice of teaching as a profession, which were themed under student-related factors, status of teaching profession in Nigeria and nature of Chemistry.

One hundred (100) Chemistry Education students at FUOYE were selected using purposive sampling technique to select respondents from 100 level, 200 level, 300 level and 400 level to participate in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The study unraveled that, among others, poor salary packages, the level of professionalism and peer influence were the major factors hindering pre-service Chemistry teachers’ choices to become service teachers in the Nigerian Secondary School System. The study recommended that government should prioritize teachers’ welfare by giving them a pay equivalent to what their counterparts earn in other advanced countries, also, professionalism of teaching profession should be enhanced and taken seriously while ensuring a special allowance package for science teachers to boost their morale on the job.

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