Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence and Pedagogical Knowledge as Ingredients for the Acquisition of 21st Century Skills among Post-Primary Students in Nigerian Learning Institutions.

Abstract

The contemporary world is posed by numerous challenges geared towards the attainment of technological developments. It is a fact that 21st century skills are required among young scientists expected to drive the world to the target promise land of those developments which can only be acquired through effective teaching and learning of sciences. This paper discussed teachers’ emotional intelligence and pedagogical knowledge and how they impact students’ performance in post-primary schools and in general, how they can pave path to the acquisition of the desired 21st century skills among learners. It further reported some theoretical and empirical evidences of the impact of emotional intelligence consisting of self-awareness, self-motivation and social awareness among science teachers. In addition, the authors buttressed on the concept of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and how it enhances effective learning of sciences. The paper highlighted more on how the two qualities were found impactful on students’ performance in sciences in several studies across the globe. Eventually, the authors suggested among others that school administrators should be having periodic assessment of teachers’ emotional intelligence and pedagogical knowledge as a motive to enhance quality teaching of sciences that will improve acquisition of the 21st century skills in secondary schools in Nigeria and the world in general.