ABSTRACT
The study investigated the Influence of Instructional Materials in the Teaching of History in Secondary Schools: using Esan West Local Government Area as a case study, Edo State, Nigeria. This study investigates the influence of instructional materials on history teaching in Secondary Schools within Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State. Using a questionnaire titled "Influence of Instructional Materials in the Teaching of History in Secondary Schools Questionnaire" (IIMTHSSQ), demographic data and perceptions regarding instructional materials were collected from nineteen History/Social Studies teachers across seven selected schools. Findings indicate a significant shortage of instructional materials such as textbooks, maps, primary sources, and online resources, with teachers prioritizing relevance, engagement, clarity, and accessibility when selecting materials. Recognized benefits of instructional materials include enhanced engagement, improved understanding, critical thinking promotion, research skill development, and cultural heritage preservation, although challenges like funding inadequacy, lack of administrative support, and limited teacher skills persist. Proposed strategies to mitigate challenges include workshops, funding provision, supervision, local material improvisation, authority-provided materials, and ICT integration, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance history education quality.
