DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN STUDENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

This study was carried out to design, implement and evaluate the impact of civic information, education and communication (IEC) programme on College of Education Students in Lagos State. The study utilized a participatory research model within the action research paradigm and employed a 2x2, non-randomized factorial design. Hypothesis were generated and tested in the study at 0.05 alpha level. Focus group discussion guide and civic knowledge attitude (CKA) questionnaires were used for the study. Two hundred and forty (240) subjects were involved in the study, drawn from the 100 level social studies students in two Lagos State Colleges of Education. The data collected were analysed in two parts, Qualitative and Quantitative. The qualitative results revealed that by the mid-post-activities stages, students had become more knowledgeable about many of the civic issues and equally manifested attitudes that could be described as positive to the fundamental concepts. The major finding of the quantitative data was that the participatory approach was more effective than the conventional method of teaching in fostering students’ acquisition of knowledge of civic issues and it is also revealed that the main effect of treatment on attitude was not significant. The study therefore recommended the adoption of the participatory approach in the teaching of civic education concept in order to enhance student’s knowledge about and attitude towards sustainable development.