Urban-Rural Differential In Teaching And Learning Of Geography In Ahiazu Mbaise And Owerri Municipal Council In Imo State

The all important need for self-reliance and technology in Nigeria calls for teachers to meet the requirement of the new national policy on Education. The concern of this study is therefore focused on the problems of Geography education in Nigeria. It examines the rural- urban variables affecting the teaching and learning of geography in Imo State. The sample for the study comprises ten schools, five each from rural and urban areas. Structured questionnaires were distributed to school principals and Geography teachers of the sampled schools and contingency analysis employed to test for the significant differences. The major findings of the study include the following. That one consistent indicator of differences in schools certificate geography achievement is school location. That the urban environment tends to be capable of raising and reinforcing children's cognitive behaviour more than rural environment. That difference in the supply and availability of geography teachers both in the right quantity and quality Geography equipment, library and text books create differences in the teaching and learning of geography in the rural and urban schools. Finally, that given the necessary qualified staff and equipment, students in the rural schools will perform equally well as those in the urban schools. (Report and Opinion 2010;2(9):33-44). (ISSN: 1553-9873).