Assessment of Self Concept as a Determinant of Teacher’s Attitudes towards Teaching Profession in Lagos State

Abstract

Ability that teacher possesses to help him feel good about himself and his abilities has a tremendous influence on his attitude towards teaching profession which ultimately boost academic performance of students in Secondary schools. This study therefore assesses self concept as a determinant of teacher’s attitudes towards teaching profession in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design, while random sampling method was applied at selecting the sample. The study made use of a sample of 200 participants from the two Secondary schools in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State Nigeria. Attitude Scale Towards Teaching Profession (ASTTP) and Self Concept Inventory (SCI) were adopted, and modified for this study, administered to the participants and were collected immediately after administering them. The data collected from the respondents was analysed using t-test statistical tools, while inferential statistics was used to analyse the respondents’ personal data. The study found that, there is significant difference between male and female teachers with respect to their attitude towards teaching profession; there is significance difference between Public and Private teachers with respect to their attitude towards teaching profession; there is significance difference between male and female teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession with respect to their self-concept and finally, there is significance difference between Private and Public teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession with respect to their self concept. The study concluded that, teachers’ attitude plays a significant role in the teaching and learning of students in Secondary schools within the study area. The study therefore recommended that government at all levels, should work together to ensure that there is availability of adequate facilities needed for teaching effectiveness in Secondary schools. The researcher equally recommended that, there is need for organizing of seminars/workshops on positive teachers’ disposition while teaching should be addressed by all education stakeholders as important and urgent.