Strategies for Improving Maintenance of Laboratories and Equipment of Vocational and Technical Education for Effective Service Delivery in Tertiary Institutions
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to determine the strategies of improving maintenance culture for workshop and equipment in VTE in tertiary institutions in Delta State. Specifically, the study intends to:
- Determine the purpose of workshop and equipment maintenance in VTE in tertiary institutions.
- Identify the strategies for improving maintenance practices of workshop laboratory and equipment in VTE in tertiary institutions.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concept of Laboratory, Workshop and Equipment
Horby (1998) in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defined laboratory as a building used for scientific research, experiment testing etc, while workshop is a building or room in which things are made or repair using tools or machinery. Equipment can be defined as instructional materials, tools or machineries used in the laboratory for teaching and learning. In other words laboratory, and workshop has common relationship.
In VTE, there are various kinds of workshop for teaching and learning. Some of them include; Languages laboratory, Electronic Engineering Workshop, Accounting laboratory, Computer Laboratory, Woodwork Workshop.
Obaegbulem (2007) pointed out that laboratories, workshop and equipment, facilitate educational programme in any institution in the sense that it increases day to day learning and teaching of students. Halleck (1990) highlighted that laboratory and workshops and equipment greatly influences students’ academic achievement most especially in practical and skill oriented courses. He emphasized that the availability, relevance and adequacy of these instructional inputs are essential factors that are required for effective and efficient implementation of National Policy on vocational technical education in tertiary level. Obaegbulem pointed out that workshop/laboratory and equipment in vocational technical education programme lack proper maintenance and described it as operational difficulties.
Maintenance according to Egboh (2009) is described as a management function or activity designed to keep equipment, tools and other assets in good working conditions. The essence of maintenance is to ensure that workshop, laboratories and equipment are kept in good condition. Reduce overhead cost, avoid disruption in productive system and learning process, maintain high quality and efficiency in vocational technical delivery system and preserve organizational investment as well as prolong the life span of instructional assets and facilities.
Types of Maintenance
- Total Preventive maintenance
- Breakdown (Repair) maintenance
- Replacement maintenance
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Survey design was used for the study.
Population of the Study
The population of the study was one hundred and fifteen (115) vocational technical education lectures and technologies in tertiary institution in Delta State.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
HYPOTHESIS 1
Table 3: T-test comparison of opinion of lectures and technologists on the purpose of maintenance
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusion and Recommendations
This paper has exhaustively investigated the strategies for maintenance of laboratories/workshops and equipment in vocational and Technical Tertiary institutions. From the outcome of the research, it can be concluded that if the purpose of maintenance is identified and the strategies are effectively implemented this will go a long way to promote efficient maintenance culture and effective delivery service in our tertiary institutions.
Based on the findings, the following recommendations are made.
- School Administrations, Lecturers Technologist Students and other state holder should be sensitized on the need for good maintenance culture.
- Government should provide funds for maintenance of school Laboratories workshop and equipment.
- Seminars, workshops and special training should be organized for technologist on maintenance of school laboratories, workshop and equipment.
- Effective supervision of laboratories and workshop staff as well as regular inspection of equipment should be encouraged
- Provide equipment requirements such as consumables, lubricants, manuals and check list etc.
- Schedule preventive maintenance instead of waiting until the equipment breaks down.
REFERENCE
- Anyakoha, E.U. (1992). Development and utilization of facilities for home economics education programmes in Nigerian schools and colleges for manpower development. Vocational and Technical Education and manpower development. Nsukka, Nigeria Vocational Association.
- Egboh, C (2009) Entrepreneurship development for employment and wealth generation. Benin City: Ehis printer.
- Federal, Government of Nigeia (1981) National policy on Education. Nigeria: Lagos State printer
- Horby, A.S. (1998) Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.
- Halllac, (1990) Lucee by in the future Educational priorities in Developing world. Paris: Llep and Purgamon press.
- Kareem, B. & Aderobo A.A. (2003). “Assessment of Constraints Affecting manufacture, Jobshop Operation in Nigeria”. Nigerian Journal of Engineering, Vol. 4(7). Published in Bosaele Publishing Press, Ondo, Nigeria.
- Omidiji, B.V., Awili, C.P.N. (2007). Implementing Total productive maintenance (TPM) Journal of Association for Engineering Technology and Economic Development.
