Teaching Social Studies in Caribbean Schools: Perceived Problems of Elementary School Teachers

Abstract

The concerns of social studies teachers in the islands of the English-speaking Caribbean represent an under-researched area. This study investigated the perceived problems in teaching elementary school social studies in the Eastern Caribbean. A distinctive group of teachers, who have had some years of teaching experiences prior to their formal teacher education, respondents in this study perceived three major problems in teaching social studies: a lack of adequate resources; administrative support; a limited range of pedagogical strategies. These issues and other significant problems facing Caribbean teachers are discussed.