An Investigation into Subject-Specific Competencies and Teaching Strategies in Secondary School Social Studies Education

Abstract

The competencies of today’s students are crucial for their success in school, life, and the workplace. These competencies are knowledge, abilities, and attitudes students apply in unfamiliar or challenging circumstances. Integrating method-specific, social, and personal competencies into the learning process is essential for students to acquire and use these competencies in a complex and changing society. This article examines the current state of social studies instruction in Indian schools, focusing on Kerala, and assesses the alignment of teaching methodologies with desired subject-specific competencies. The findings show significant gaps in aligning teaching methodologies with desired competencies, with many educators reporting challenges in integrating active learning strategies and critical thinking skills into their lessons. The study emphasizes the need for professional development programs focused on innovative teaching approaches and curriculum alignment to enhance the effectiveness of social studies instruction. According to the survey, the traditional approaches to social studies instruction do not assist students in acquiring the required subject-specific competencies.