PARENTAL VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE BASIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM: A NEED FOR ITS REVIEW?

¹Olayanju, T. A, ²Olayanju, M, O & ³Aluko, T. O

¹Department of Computer Science Education, Federal College of Education (Tech.) Akoka, Lagos,

²Department of Integrated Science Education, Federal College of Education (Tech.) Akoka, Lagos,

³Department of Physics Education, Federal College of Education (Tech.) Akoka, Lagos,

ABSTRACT

This study describes what parents view and expect from the Basic science and technology curriculum with respect to computer studies and Basic science. The research design used in this study was phenomenology qualitative research. Critical case purposeful sampling technique was adopted to select parents with real experiences of the phenomena under investigation. In-depth interviews were conducted among ten parents working in higher institutions within Mainland metropolitan area of Lagos state, whose children are in basic education level or just recently completed basic education. To ensure reliability of the unstructured interview protocol used, a pre-study survey was conducted and epoche of the researchers’ opinions was observed. Two research questions were raised in the study. The data collected were presented in textural descriptions arranged in themes, altogether eight themes were generated. Data explicitation indicated that among others that parents view the curriculum as being relevant in helping children develop enthusiasm; but the curriculum is too voluminous and the composite subject could be unmerged or allocated more time on the timetable. The parents expect a review of the curriculum to address the emerging issues like pandemic and insurgency. The parents also expect that the curriculum be garnished with more practical works that will birth creative thinking in children.

Keywords: Parental views, Parental expectations, Curriculum review, Phenomenology, Data explicitation