COMMON TRENDS AND DIVERGENCES IN THE EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

OLUGBUYI, K.O. & ADEDIRAN A.A.
Social Studies Department,
School of Arts and Social Sciences,
Federal College of Education,
Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Social studies education is a key subject in the curriculum of school in Nigeria, its introduction into schools in Nigeria dated back to the early 1960s. Like any other school subjects, its acceptance by Nigeria educators and students alike has not been without some understanding, part of which includes the believes that, its introduction as a school subject, would eventually displace history and some social science disciplines which have been properly entrenched in the curriculum of schools. The trends and divergences of social studies in Nigeria are curriculum changes; which is the worth of the individual and development of all Nigerian children for each individual’s sake and for the development of society in general. It also encompasses the beliefs in providing Nigerian with equal educational opportunity so that they can develop according to their ability and promote the development of an effective and informed Nigerian citizen. The crux of this paper is therefore on the trends and divergences in the evolution and development of social studies in Nigeria and South Africa. Consequently the paper examines the nature of social studies, evolution and development of social studies in Nigeria, the trend and divergences of social studies in Nigeria was also discussed, social studies in South Africa was examined. Other germine issues were also looked into. Conclusion and recommendations were suggested to buttress the divergences and the development of social studies in both Nigeria and South Africa.
Key Words: Common Trends, Evolution, Divergences, Development