Remediating Apathetic Attitude towards Poetry among Students of English in Kwara State Colleges of Education, Nigeria

This study investigates the apathetic attitudes toward poetry among students in Kwara State Colleges of Education, Nigeria, aiming to identify underlying causes and effective remediation strategies. Using a descriptive research design, the study employed a survey method to collect quantitative data from 90 students across three institutions, with a modified Likert scale assessing perceptions of poetry. Qualitative insights were obtained through focus group discussions with literature lecturers. Data analysis combined descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, with inferential tests such as t-tests and ANOVA to examine hypotheses on gender differences and engagement levels. Findings reveal that students perceive poetry as complex and often irrelevant, fuelling disengagement. Importantly, no significant differences emerged in apathetic attitudes based on gender or year of study, indicating that, apathy is a systemic issue affecting all students. Recommended strategies to address this include integrating multimedia resources, conducting interactive workshops, and employing culturally relatable contexts in poetry lessons. Furthermore, equipping prospective English language teachers with practical teaching methods and fostering their enthusiasm for poetry is essential, as their attitudes strongly shape student perceptions. The study underscores the need for educational institutions to adopt a holistic approach to poetry education, ensuring curricula remain inclusive and engaging.