Impact of Business Education on Youths Empowerment, Economic Growth and Development in Colleges of Education
CHAPTER ONE
Objective Of The Study
The general aim of this study is to ascertain the impact of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development in colleges of education. The specific aims of this study are outlined below:
- Ascertain whether business education is effectively taught in colleges of education.
- Determine whether there is a significant relationship between business education and youths empowerment.
- Ascertain whether business education programme has a significant impact on economic growth and development in Nigeria.
- Ascertain the contributions of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
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 two sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Business Education
Business education is an integral part of vocational and technical education that deals with acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed in this dynamic economy. Business education as a course is divided into three specializations i.e accounting option, secretarial option and marketing option. Business education as a concept cannot be subjected to a single definition. Business education has been defined by different scholars; Ibrahim (2011) defines business education as a part of the total educational programme that provides the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitude to perform in a business world as a producer and consumer of goods and services that the world offers. In a related manner, Ibrahim (2011) defined business education as a subject that permeates the entire life of the nation, that touches every one collectively and individually, be it in the field of sports, in the place of worship, or even at home doing domestic duties. According to Ibrahim (2011), states that business education is the deliberate intent of teachers to inform students about business concepts and skills that might be of use in their later life. Aliyu (2004) in Ibrahim (2011) further emphasized that business education is an aspect of education that prepares people to enter into the business world, to participate in productive activities in an attempt to meet up with the nation’s needs, and also to be able to make wise use of financial rewards in order to attain successful living.
Osuala in Azuka and Nwosu (2018) defined Business Education as an essential part of the preparation of youths for life and living. Osuala later saw business education as a programme of instruction which consists of two parts: Office Education: A vocational programme of office careers through initial refresher and upgrading education and General Business Education – A programme to provide students with information and competencies which are needed by all in managing personal business affairs and in using the service of the business world. Igwe (2017) defined business education as a subject of vocational education which provides the recipient with skills, competencies, attitude and general knowledge to enable the individuals live, function, imbibe and appreciate the present. Furthermore, Akaeze (2014) described business education as that which equips its recipients with creative skills that would make them to perform well as entrepreneurs. Also Abdullahi in Akaeze (2014) defined business education as an aspect of total educational programme which provides the recipient with knowledge, skills, understanding and attitude needed to perform well in the business world as a producer or consumer of goods and services. The National Open University of Nigeria (2008) also defined business education as an aspect of vocational education that equips people with necessary skills and theoretical knowledge needed for performance in business world either for job occupation or selfemployment. From the various definitions of business education enumerated above it is clear that business education is concerned with the acquisition of skills, competencies, knowledge, attitude and creativity for personal adjustment in society as an employer, employee, a producer or a consumer of goods and services.
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.
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 one hundred and forty-seven (147) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only one hundred and forty-one (141) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 141 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the impact of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development in colleges of education using Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Edcation, Owerri as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to examine the impact of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development in colleges of education using Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Edcation, Owerri as a case study. The study specifically was aimed to ascertain whether business education is effectively taught in colleges of education, determine whether there is a significant relationship between business education and youths empowerment, ascertain whether business education programme has a significant impact on economic growth and development in Nigeria, and ascertain the contributions of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are business education students of Alvan Federal College of Education, Owerri, Imo State.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.
- Business education is effectively taught in colleges of education.
- There is a significant relationship between business education and youths empowerment.
- Business education programme has a significant impact on economic growth and development in Nigeria.
- The contributions of business education on youths empowerment, economic growth and development includes: skill acquisition, employment opportunities, improve national security, and stimulate industrial and economic growth of rural and less developed areas.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.
- The government should make adequate supply of learning materials and workshop facilities to Business Education institutions to help in preparing the youth for self-employment.
- Government programmes should prepare a wide range of opportunities for youth’s empowerment for industrial development and nation building.
- Establishment and equipping of Entrepreneurship Education training institutions to enable them for self-reliance should be the focus of the three tiers of government.
- Good policies and effective implementation will encourage good entrepreneurs which will create wealth, establish small scale and medium scale industries and increase the rate of youth empowerment for national harmony.
- School administrators should be given proper orientation to enable them understand the role of business education in sustainable development. The NUC, NCCE, and NBTE should not end with prescription of minimum standards for business education in our universities, colleges of education and polytechnics.
- Business education curriculum at every level should undergo constant evaluation and review in order to keep it up to date with current technological realities.
- There is the need for undergraduates as well as graduates in business education program to strive toward skill acquisition because success and progress in the world of work and becoming self-employed, self-reliant is dependent on the amount of skills and abilities possessed.To mention but a few.
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