How do Teacher Preparation and Infrastructural Facilities Impact on The Implementation of Lower Basic Education Curriculum in Nigeria?

This study is an assessment of the implementation of Lower Basic Education curriculum in Idah Education zone of Kogi State. The expost facto design study was guided by seven research questions and 5 hypotheses. A sample of 376 (208 from public schools and 168 from private schools) Lower Basic Education (LBE) teachers were used from Idah Education Zone comprising of Ibaji, Idah and Igalamela-Odolu LGAs. Two instruments were used in this study are (a) Availability and Adequacy of Infrastructural Facility Scale (AAIFS) and (b) Basic Education Implementation Variables Questionnaire (BEIVQ). The reliability coefficient of the AAIFS is 0.88 for availability and 0.91 for adequacy while that of the BEIVQ is 0.83. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Following data analysis the following findings were made: (1). It was found that only three infrastructural facilities out of 20 listed were available and they are play field, teachers' book and First Aid Box. Those that were not available include Class Rooms, Admin blocks, Science corner/mini Lab, Wall charts, Staff Offices, Audio aids (eg radio, TV), Motion aids, Stores, Desks and chairs, Projector, Library, Computer/Lap tops, Internet facility, Source of Electricity, Studios, Toilet facilities and Water source. (2). It was also found that teacher preparation for implementation of LBE in Idah education zone of Kogi State is adequate. Specifically it was found that qualified teachers are engaged and adequate in number; teachers go on seminars and workshops regularly though mostly through self efforts, newly recruited teachers are mentored by older teachers at an informal level and recruitment of teachers is through rigorous interview. Teachers are motivated and evaluation for promotion of teachers involves some practical observation in class. (3). However, there is no significant difference between the mean level of teacher preparation for LBE curriculum in public and private schools (4). It was also found that funding is inadequate for implementation of LBE curriculum. Thus, there is no significant difference between the mean level of funding of LBE curriculum in public and private schools. (5). There is a significant difference between the mean level of supervision/ monitoring and availability of infrastructural facilities for curriculum implementation of LBE. Similarly, there is significant difference between the mean level of adequacy of supervision/monitoring of LBE curriculum in public and private schools. In general supervision of LBE curriculum in Idah Education zone of Kogi State is poor, haphazardly done and mostly handled by inexperienced teachers. (6). It is also found that the challenges to effective implementation of LBE curriculum in the study area are frequent strike action by teachers, poor teacher motivation, non regular payment of teachers' salary, inadequate funding, outdated textbooks and inadequate teaching materials. It was recommended among others that provision of infrastructural facilities for LBE curriculum implementation should be improved by encouraging individuals and non-governmental organizations to partner with government in provision of essential materials.