Demographic variables as correlates of low rating of the Teaching Profession in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated demographic variables as correlates of low rating of the teaching profession in Nigeria. Using the correlational survey design, four hypotheses were formulated and tested. Data were collected with a questionnaire entitled “Low Rating of the Teaching Profession Questionnaire (LRTPQ)”. The questionnaire was validated by two experts in Educational Research and Statistics. The reliability of the instrument was determined by administering the instrument to thirty parents and the data obtained were analyzed using the Cronbach Alpha formulae and an internal consistency reliability of 0.76 was obtained showing the instrument as reliable. Data collected by the researchers and two research assistants were analysed with the Pearson’s r. The study revealed that there is a high relationship between the mode of admission of students into teacher education and the age of teachers with the low public image of the teaching profession in Nigeria. However, it was found that the presumed predominance of females in the teaching profession and the family background of teachers do not have any significant relationship with the low public image of the teaching profession in Nigeria. One of the recommendations is that the minimum age of any person to be recruited into the teaching profession school be twenty five years. This would allow for long time academic and practical training after secondary education.

Keywords: Demographic variables, teaching profession, low rating, correlates