Hostel Accommodation and Its Impact on Students Academic Performance in Universities
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of Study
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main aim of this study is to examine hostel accommodation and its impact on students academic performance in universities. Specifically but not limited to, other objectives of the study are:
- To determine the extent students use hostel accommodations in universities.
- To determine whether sex and age have a role in the distribution of university hostels in Nigerian federal universities.
- To determine whether hostel accommodation impacts on academic performance.
- To determine whether there are special preference to faculties and course of study in the allocation of hostels in the Nigerian federal universities.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATUREINTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Accommodation
Accommodation has to do with privacy, personal space, and territoriality. Accommodation concerns an individual’s freedom of choice in a given physical setting with regard to what happens in it from one movement to another. For instance, the presence of particular activities at a particular time. Ozioko (1997). Adequate accommodation is one of the students personnel services that enhance the achievement of educational objectives or instruction in an educational institution. In the context of this study, hostel accommodation entails a place where students live; it is usually situated within school compound. The reason could be to enable students to feel the impact of school environment on the learning activities.
Concept of Hostel Accommodation
Hostel could be seen as a place where students retire after daily activities. It is also a place of abode for students. It is usually located within the school premises, it is owned and managed by the school authority sometimes however, it is run by private entrepreneur. Clark, and Meave (1992) see hostel as somewhere people, especially (students) live away from 20 home, can stay and eat fairly cheap. In the same vein, Hornby (2000) see hostel as building in which board and lodging are provided (with the support of the authorities concerned) for students, workmen in training.
Rationale for Student Hostel Accommodations in Higher Institutions
Facilitating Reading:
At any level of education (primary, secondary, university including postgraduate work), staying in the hall of residence or hostel does enhance the desire to read. There are fewer distractions, there can be control and the activities of studious colleagues can force less serious ones to read. It is also easier to relate colleagues who are close by or teachers where a student has a difficulty on a subject matter. Akpan (2000) has showed quantitatively, that a more optimal policy option in funding education in increased student income support (as in bursary payments) going along with improved facilities if academic performance is to be enhanced. According to him, the time that students are willing to put into studies depends on the level of income support, expected income gains upon employment (psychic income), as well as on the level of development of the study environment, which includes the library, laboratory, classrooms, hostel facilities, recreational and health facilities among other things.
Co-curricular Activities:
Students in hostels have a greater opportunity of participating in sports, games, club, and social activities that are expected to make them more rounded individuals and citizens than those living off-campus who may find themselves forced into domestic activities once they are at home.
Security:
Students are indeed more secure on campus than offcampus in spite of the menace of cult activities in the tertiary institution in Nigeria. This is because institutions maintain security personnel on campus and do monitor the activities of students. Some private universities are known to lock their gates early and to insist on students obtaining exit permits before they travel home.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to evaluate hostel accommodation and its impact on students academic performance in universities using the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State. Selected staff and students form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of six hundred (600) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only four hundred (400) were returned and validated. For this study a total of 400 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was on hostel accommodation and its impact on students academic performance in universities using University of Calabar, Cross River State as a case study. The study specifically was aimed at highlighting the extent students use hostel accomodations in universities, determine whether sex and age have a role in the distribution of university hostels in Nigerian federal universities, determine whether hostel accomodation impacts on academic performance and determine whether there are special preference to faculties and course of study in the allocation of hostels in the Nigerian federal universities. A total of 400 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn staff and students accommodated and not accommodated in the school hostel.
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- Students use hostel accommodations in universities.
- Sex and age have a role in the distribution of university hostels in Nigerian federal universities.
- Hostel accommodation impacts on academic performance.
- There are special preference to faculties and course of study in the allocation of hostels in the Nigerian federal universities.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following
Government policy makers and managers of institutional facilities need to priotize maintenance of available infrastructure while planning for future expansion. Living conditions are often initiated at the design stage prior to construction. Many of such amenities are however implemented and maintained after construction by proper management. While research has repeatedly and rightfully called for better provision of additional buildings and infrastructure by government as a panacea to improving student experience and performance, it is vitally important to ensure that adequate managerial practices for living conditions are put in place for existing facilities and sustained to support learning. These are arguably less expensive and often well within the control of institutions. It is also vital to adequately maintain facilities and buildings already in use to the benefit of users.
REFERENCES
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- Alaka, I. N., Pat-Mbano, E. C., & Ewulum, N. J. (2012). Contribution of Private Hostel Providers to Housing Needs of Imo State Universtiy Students at Ugwuorji-Owerri, Nigeria. Canadian Social Science, 180-186.
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