Strike, a Major Clog in the Wheel of the Nigerian Educational Sector
CHAPTER ONE
Objective Of The Study
The purpose of the research is to:
– Asses the extent and the various causative factors, which lead to the prevalence of strike on universities campus.
– To critically analyze the social and psychological factors that influence strike actions.
– Identify when strike is necessary and when it is not necessary.
– To determine the effect of strike on academic activities in Nigeria Universities.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature is reviewed under the following conceptual framework, theoretical framework and the empirical studies
Conceptual Framework
Influence Of Strike On Student
Concept of strike
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE/ ACHIEVEMENT
Effect Of Teacher’s Strike On Students academic Performance
Effect Of Teacher’s Strike On Parents
Theoretical framework
Tylers Rational Planning Approach or Objective Approach
Empirical studies
Conceptual Framework
Inspire of labour laws passed by the federal government to ensure labour peace in Nigeria; Labour unrest is a rampant feature. Hardly do we have a week without one group of worker or the other threaten to embark on a strike.
According to Emiola (1992), labour unrest takes different forms, workers may sometimes issues threats to go on strike if their employers do not meet certain demands. This may drag on for months and it can divert the attention of both the employer and employee to other issues rather than increasing productivity. There is the work to rule, sit-down strike, wildcat strike, demonstration etc. in some strikes the workers may have the right to go on strike, was given a tacit recognition in the Nigeria trade union Act 1973. This requires that no member of the trade union shall take part in a strike unless the majority of members have in a secret ballot voted in favor of the strike. The trade dispute act makes it compulsory for the opposing party of any striking group to report the case to the minister of labour who in turn will refer the matter to the industrial arbitration panels neither does the act permit any group to go on strike after the matter has been judged by the court. Therefore, it is not expected that workers would undertake any strike. The government no doubt has made several efforts to curb it, she has not yet succeeded. The June strike of 1949, the civil union strike of 1945, the Enugu Coal Miners‟ strike of 1949, the sit down strike of electricity workers is few examples of strike in the preindpendence era. Labour unrest has taken a new dimension since the formation of the Nigeria labour congress (NLC) therefore; many factors normally lead to industrial unrest. Some of them are poor pay, lack of job security, poor environment, lack of promotion, rising cost of living without substantial increase in wage etc. however, some specific causes and effect shall be examined in this discourse.
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 examine the effect of strike as a major clog in the wheel of the nigerian educational sector. Lagos state University form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
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 Ninty-five (95) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which 80 were returned. The analysis of this study is based on the number returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
In this study, our focus was to carryout a critical analysis on the effect of strike on the quality of education in higher institution. The study specifically was aimed at ascertaining the effect of strike as a major clog in the wheel of the nigerian educational sector.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 80 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are active workers in Lagos State University.
The findings include:
- There is no effective communication system in our universities with a resultant effect that the environment is prone to rumors.
- Not minding that the concept of industrial relations is not new, some of the key participants in industrial relations within the Nigerian University System do not know the laws and practices of industrial relations. That is to say that such representatives do not have a sound grounding in industrial relations laws, procedures and practices.
- It was discovered that each time salary is increased, government follows it up by devaluating the naira to make the money worthless.
- The researcher found out that good condition of service is a requirement for the restoration of industrial harmony within the Nigerian university system. such improved condition of service will also stop brain drain and encourage exchange programme among university lecturers globally.
- It was discovered that union activities make management or university system to be more vibrant and sensitive to the aspirations of the various stakeholders.
- The researcher found out that the year 2001 national strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) nation wide was aimed at compelling the federal government to devote 26% of its annual budget to the educational sector in accordance with the UNESCO provision.
- It was equally found out that unions confront management not only because of issues affecting their members but to see that the general condition of teaching and learning in the university system is conducive and also to wipe out corruption.
- It was also discovered that students also contribute to the crisis in the university system through cultism, nonpayment of prescribed fees and sometimes through violent demonstrations.
RECOMMENDATION
The researcher, having looked at both sides of the coins and having obtained information from respondents in connection with the study, considered the following recommendations as desirable.
- Trade disputes should be avoided because of the negative effect on the work force. The loss of man-days would reduce, as strikes would be curtailed if trade disputes were avoided, this would lead to growth in industrial relations.
- A flexible organizational structure should be instituted to improve the relationship between management and staff. Communication should also be improved to avoid break down in industrial relations.
- Both union leaders and management representatives should from time to time embark on training to understand the workings of industrial relations.
- When workers are aggrieved, they should follow the appropriate grievance procedure before going on strike.
- Federal and state government should endevour to increase their budgetary allocation to universities to the UNESCO recommended 26% of their total annual budget.
- Systems approach should be adopted in university management so that workers will start to see themselves as a part of the university thereby working hard to keep it going.
- Works should be allowed to participate in decision making process through their representatives.
- Universities should not be used as a political ground by some people in and outside the government.
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