Professional Development Needs of Health Educators in Secondary Schools in Enugu State

The quality of health education delivery in Nigerian secondary schools is closely tied to the professional competence and continuing development of health educators. This study assessed the professional development needs of health educators in secondary schools in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A needs-assessment survey design was used, with 180 health and physical education teachers selected from public and private secondary schools in Enugu North, Igbo-Eze North, and Nkanu East local government areas. A validated questionnaire was used to measure current competencies, perceived training gaps, and professional development priorities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents expressed significant needs for training in mental health education, reproductive health communication, and technology-assisted health instruction. Fewer than 35 percent had attended any formal professional development workshop in the preceding three years. School administration support for professional development was inconsistent and budget-constrained. Key enablers identified included access to online training platforms and government-sponsored in-service workshops. The study recommended that the Enugu State Ministry of Education design a structured, annual continuing professional development plan for health educators, incorporating both face-to-face and digital learning modalities. Keywords: professional development, health educators, secondary schools, Enugu State, competency