Challenges in teaching and learning Social Studies in Middle level schools and its implications for quality education in Addis Ababa: The case of Yeka Sub-city

Social Studies was incorporated in Ethiopia's middle-level School to create thoughtful, critical-thinking students who can appreciate various view points on regional, national, and global concerns. It is also intended to encourage intellectual, individual, and societal requirements and promotes social interaction. The objective of this study was therefore, to identify challenges in Teaching and learning Social Studies in Middle-level schools. To attain this objective, primary and secondary data sources were used. A total of 319 randomly selected middle-level school students were approached for the survey, and 16 subject teachers participated in Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussion. A concurrent mixed-method approach was used. The study identified insufficient supply of instructional materials, inadequate teaching time, low practice of participatory teaching methods, a lack of qualified teachers, and the content-loaded nature of the text books as challenges that hinder the effective delivery of Social Studies education. Thus, by addressing the identified challenges, it is possible to strengthen the contribution of Social Studies in developing informed, responsible, and engaged citizens this will, in turn, support the realization of the fourth goal of Sustainable Development Agenda.