BASIC EDUCATION TRAINEE TEACHERS KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF CAUSES OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)

Abstract

The mandate of the teacher training programme at the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) level is to produce quality teachers for the Basic Education subsector. The 2008, 2012 and 2020 editions of NCE Minimum Standards took cognisance of various developments and needs required to make a quality teacher. In this regard, courses like ‘Family Life and Emerging Issues’ were introduced to equip the teachers with necessary skills to effectively live a meaningful life and also guide their students / pupils. This report therefore presents trainee teachers’ knowledge and perception of causes and prevention of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Using descriptive survey design, five questions were raised and four hypotheses were formulated and 280 students who were randomly selected responded to the research questionnaire. Results revealed that one social class was perceived to be more vulnerable to STIs and that sexuality is believed to be the major cause of STIs. It is recommended that more socially motivated programs coloured with STI related programs will further raise the level of trainee teachers’ awareness of STI and also sustain the existing achievement level. Also, trainee teachers’ involvement and participation in all matters of reproductive health should be encouraged in all higher institutions.