Problems of Teaching and Learning Metalwork in Secondary Schools in Plateau State

This study identified and analyzed the problems of teaching and learning metalwork in senior secondary schools in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Metalwork remains one of the foundational practical subjects in the secondary school vocational curriculum and provides core skills for employment in fabrication, construction, and manufacturing industries. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 70 metalwork teachers and 350 students across 14 secondary schools in three local government areas. Instruments included a structured questionnaire and a metalwork laboratory observation checklist. Findings indicated that the most prominent teaching challenges included dilapidated forges and anvils, shortage of consumable metals, absence of protective safety gear, and inadequate pre-service training for metalwork teachers. Learning challenges from the student side included fear of injury, difficulties with mathematical calculations required for design tasks, and low motivation stemming from poor laboratory conditions. The study recommends that the Plateau State Secondary Schools Management Board prioritize the renovation and restocking of metalwork laboratories, establish a safety training module for both teachers and students, and strengthen pre-service metalwork teacher education. Industry partnerships with Plateau's growing manufacturing sector should be developed to co-fund practical training materials. Keywords: metalwork teaching, secondary schools, Plateau State, vocational education, teaching challenges.