Effect of Political Instability on Implementation of Secondary Education in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the effect of political instability on education policy of Nigeria
- To ascertain the relationship between political instability affects teacher’s productivity in Nigeria
- To ascertain whether political instability leads to indiscipline and examination malpractice among students
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Impact of Politics on Educational Policies in Nigeria
The concept of educational policy according to Udida (2008) could be taken to mean projected programmes of action, which specifies goals, values and practices of an educational system. It could also be seen as a statement which guides and directs all actions at achieving national development through educational section. Though education is a vital instrument in development, often there are agitations for politics to be taken off education or that education should not be mixed with politics. But at the same time the duo seem to be inseparable. Reasons why some people agitated for removed of politics from education rested on some of the bad influence of politics on education which according to Arubayi (2005) include:
- Inadequate funding of education,
- Poor planning / ineffective implementation of educational plans and objectives
- Poor school mapping as pupils travel more than five kilometers to get to school daily
- Poor supervision and monitoring of UBE programme: The constraint to effective supervision and monitoring of the UBE Scheme is attributed to.
- Inadequate vehicles for monitoring
- Inadequate number of qualified monitoring officers, inadequate office accommodation and office equipment (e.g computers and ICT facilities) militated against effective supervision of UBE programme (P1-9). The picture painted by Arubayi on poor supervision was supported by Ezenkwensili (2007) that there has been no inspection and supervision of schools in the decades”, whereas, supervision of schools is the heart of quality assurance in education.
Negatively, politics had impacted on human resource in the education industry in diverse ways. For instance Government ban on employment due to economic down turn, had spelt negative effect on schooling, that is, inadequate qualified teacher’s to handle teach specialized subjects in sciences and arts affected the output of our secondary schools for many decades In a negative way Obanya (2010) highlighted how politics and education influence each other through a continuous process which has failed the education sector, particularly in the last decade. He listed the country’s (Nigeria) problem as evidenced in bad politics to include:
Corruption, political instability and adult / infant illiteracy – where about twenty percent cannot read nor write and the adults lack access to university education.
Obanya also pointed out that only one fifth of applicant received a place in the higher institutions of learning across the country. For this reason, many candidates are regular JAMB customers for many years conservatively. Obanya also highlights how the political instability has led to inconsistent educational policies due to rapid changes of education ministers with different ideologies. For instance, the immediate past minister under Jonathan’s administration pursured “ Transformation agenda” at the federal level, while “ uncommon transformation” ideals was pursued by Akpabio’s administration in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria at the State level to propagate his free/compulsory education agenda
Issues that cause political influence on Education in Nigeria
In the whole of Nigeria, and states, there are certain educational policies and reforms and programmes in education that have some political undertones. At the same time, certain political issues have found expression in the policies and programmes recommended and adopted for education.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to effect of political instability on implementation of secondary education in llorin west local government area, Kwara state
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information the effect of political instability on implementation of secondary education in llorin west local government area, Kwara state. 200 staff of Universal basic education in llorin west local government area, Kwara state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effect of political instability on implementation of secondary education in Ilorin west local government area of Kwara state
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of political instability on implementation of secondary education
Summary
This study was on effect of political instability on implementation of secondary education in Ilorin west local government area of Kwara state. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the effect of political instability on education policy of Nigeria, to ascertain the relationship between political instability affects teacher’s productivity in Nigeria and to ascertain whether political instability leads to indiscipline and examination malpractice among students. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of universal basic education in Ilorin west local government area of Kwara state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up directors, administrative staffs, senior staff and junior staff was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The study revealed the overall scenario of political instability in Ilorin west local government. Frequent strikes and economic blockades have totally crippled the State today. Education, especially education sector got the most disastrous effects of all. The need of the hour is to control such political instability as these are having far-reaching consequences in every aspect. Also, due to such phenomenon, many students from Kwara state to other states of Nigeria to pursue higher studies, careers, jobs opportunities, etc. Students’ migration has brought “brain drain” directly in the long run and a heavy loss to State economy as well. The situation will get worsened in due course of time if timely actions are not taken up by the governments, both Centre as well as the State to control such political instability happening in the State of kwara. Thus, education should be made a conflict-free zone. Let us not put the future of our younger generation at stake by spoiling the education system and let us therefore allow our students to develop to their full potential and make them achieve as much in their life. As Altbach (2008) has also rightly said that “Higher education represents an essential part of a nation’s patrimony and a key to future prosperity”.
Recommendation
Government should ensure that there are no favouritism in the disbursement of funds in secondary schools and the appointment of finance officers should not be based in politics, this politics is bound to adversely affect the provision of management of funds in secondary schools.
The post primary school management boards in the different states should ensure different eschew preferential appointments of principals as this generate conflict in schools, also the issue of favouritism in the appointment of staff to work in the school system should be avoided since this lead to appointment of mediocrate in the system.
The states governments should avoid quota system in the provision of facilities and equipment in schools. This is because these leads to differentials in the quality and quantity of schools.
Politics should be played with caution in the appointment or selection of principal officers.
References
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