The Imperative for The Teaching of Literature in English in Secondary Schools in Yobe State

• Author(s): Dr Amase Emmanuel Lanior ; Gambo Abdullahi Jinjiri
• Paper ID: 1709892
• Page: 1688-1698
• Published Date: 05-08-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 1 July-2025

Abstract

This research investigates factors responsible for the absence of literature in English in secondary schools in Yobe State, with the view to creating awareness among all stakeholders on the need to revive teaching and learning of the subject so as to maximise opportunities relating to it. The research adopts a quantitative research design, using a questionnaire to collect information. Yobe state grouped all the secondary schools of the state into three zones; Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua. Three schools were selected from each zone, and 4 and 20 staff and students respondents respectively were taken from the nine schools. This sampling brings the total of 36 and 180 staff and students respondents respectively. The data was collected through direct administration of the questionnaires in the study area. Frequency and percentage statistical tool was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that a lot is wrong with teaching staff of the subject, pertaining to qualification and work experience. Majority of the staff are graduates but into mainstream language or language education. Acute dearth of teaching resources and students’ poor reading culture has been bedeviling the subject. Both staff and students are optimistic that Yobe state Government and parents can turn around the misfortune of the subject. On the positive, both staff and students are aware that literature with its broad potential can improve English language and facilitate communication, create opportunity to study more courses thereby bringing more jobs to the state indigenes. Other benefits of literature which the respondents admit include improvement on university admission, improvement on social and cultural cohesion, and interestingly, improvement on security. It is concluded that all the stakeholders fully appreciate the problems and prospects of literature in English in Yobe State. Hence, it is recommended that, with this level of awareness, Yobe state Government and all the other stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward improving the status of literature in English so as to benefit from the all the potentials of the course.

Keywords

Literature, Teaching, stakeholders, English Language, Students, Teachers.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Dr Amase Emmanuel Lanior , Gambo Abdullahi Jinjiri "The Imperative for The Teaching of Literature in English in Secondary Schools in Yobe State" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 1 2025 Page 1688-1698

IEEE:
Dr Amase Emmanuel Lanior , Gambo Abdullahi Jinjiri "The Imperative for The Teaching of Literature in English in Secondary Schools in Yobe State" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(1)