Utilising Non-formal Education Programs as a Tool for Curbing the Prevalence of Cultism in Communities in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives Of Study
The study objectives were as follows:
- To assess youth’s perceptions on the influence of youth financial education in curbing the prevalence of cultism in Oredo L.G.A.
- To establish youth’s perceptions on the influence of youth education for empowerment in curbing the prevalence of cultism in Oredo L.G.A.
- To determine youth’s perceptions on the influence of youth acquisition of practical skills in curbing the prevalence of cultism in Oredo L.G.A.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Cultism
It has never been easy to give a comprehensive definition of the term ‘Cult’. This is because the term cultism could be applied to a wide range of groups and could convey different meaning by different users. Okwu (2006) cited Denga (1991) where the author defined cultism as a system of religious belief and practices or ideology. Also, Orukpe (1998) noted that ‘Cults are a group of people who share and propagate peculiar secret beliefs divulged only to Member’.
Occultism or possession of mystical power is often associated with cults. The veracity of this is difficult to ascertain because of their secret modus operandi. Cult can be seen as a group of people that are devoted to a particular cause. In real sense cult per se is not evil, it is rather the anti-societal behaviour of its members that make it to be evil and a cause of concern to society.
According to the Free Encyclopedia (2010), the literal and traditional meaning of the word ‘Cult’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Cultus’ meaning ‘Care’ or ‘Adoration’. To the sociologist of religion, the term is used to describe ‘a loosely knit organization not characterized by tolerance and open mindedness in matter of belief and practice, while in the media and everyday conversion the word suggests a spurious, secretive, sinister and harmful group’ (Albatross , 2006). Lalich and Langone (2006) made the following remarks about the behaviour of cultists – the group displays excessively zealous and unquestionable commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology and practices as the truth. The authors noted that questioning, doubts and dissents are discouraged or even punished.
Rotimi (2005) asserted that the secret cult phenomenon is not new in Africa. Citing Aguda (1997), the author observed that activities of secret cults, like ‘Human Leopards’ and ‘Human crocodiles’, have been recorded in Central Africa. Furthermore in citing Thomas (2002), the author stated that cultist groups enjoy subtle support and patronage from both government and school authorities. Cult members were sometimes used by politicians for revenge and for setting personal scores. He went on to state that in some cases, past members who had migrated to foreign countries some times remitted money to support their former cult groups.
Campus Cultism
Cultism is an anti-social behaviour which is a deviant act. It is at variance with the established norms of behaviour. It is a non-conforming behaviour which usually contravenes the social rules of an institution in particular and the society in general. In spite of the negative consequences of cultism, it still thrives. Literature showed that secret societies have a mode of operation and behaviour by which they can identify as not only groups but secret groups.
According to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Enactment) Decree 1978 … “A secret society means a cultural or association, not being solely secret signs, oaths, rites or symbols whose meetings are under oath, obligation to promote the interest of its members or to aid one another under all circumstances without due regard to merit, fair play or justice, to the detriment of the legitimate expectation of those who are not members.” The nature of secret cults is as much practicable shrouded in secrecy by members. This fact was appreciated by Nwanze (1991 and 1994). They observed that they all shared one thing in common. They operated secretly and their activities and sign were decidedly esoteric to the uninitiated.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The research design for this study was descriptive research survey. The descriptive survey design was deemed appropriate for the study because of its ability to establish facts which result in formulation of important principles of knowledge about populations that are too large to be observed directly (Mugenda & Mugenda 1999; Kathuri & Pals 1993) The design was appropriate as it enabled the researcher to study the situation as it was since the independent variables were not manipulated. It was also suitable as the study sought the altitudes and opinions of the respondents with regards to the topic. It involved collecting and analyzing data in order to describe and report on the findings.
Target population
Mugenda & Mugenda (1999) states that the target population is a group or category of human beings, animals and objects which have one or more characteristics in common and has been selected as a focus of the study. The study was carried out in Oredo L.G.A., Edo State. The target population was 39,783 youth between 18-24 years as shown on Table 3.1; and also included two officers in- charge of youth affairs.
Sampling Procedures & Sample Size.
Babbie (2004) contends that stratified proportionate random sampling technique produces estimates of overall population parameters with greater precision and ensures a more representative sample is derived for a relatively homogeneous population. The sampling procedure used was stratified random sampling to select the required sample of the youth. These were further stratified into male and female. The researcher used stratified random sampling because it eliminated any bias in selection of the sample since each element of the population had an equal chance of been sampled. Proportionate sampling was used to include sufficient numbers of cases of each gender for equal representation. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the officers in- charge of youth affairs. As young people in Nigeria interact in various avenues such as public learning institutions, churches, mosques and streets the researcher randomly sample youth from such avenues in Oredo L.G.A.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION
Youth Practical skills and curbing cultism
This section is on youth practical skills such as ICT skills and entrepreneurial skills for competence in the job market.
Information on the kind of skills that the youth had for competence in the job market.
From the Table 4.18 it is evident that the majority of the youth (75%) had at least basic literacy and numeracy skills taught in learning institutions. The skills acquired did not however match the requirements of the job market because the youth lacked ICT and entrepreneurial skills. This increased the unemployment rates of the youth as unskilled youth remained idle hence the probable cause of their engagement in illegal activities responsible for undermining peace in the society.
From the Table 4.19, the respondents were of the opinion that the education system, lack of adequate vocational institutions and funds to access training hindered them from having relevant skills for employment. There was a great mismatch between the education, training and the labor market. Lack of relevant skills for the youth meant that they could not find jobs for them to do thus be financially independent.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of the research findings
The following is the summary of the findings from the study as per the variables and their influence on curbing cultism.
Influence of financial education on curbing cultism
According to the study on youth financial education, majority of young people were unemployed thus lacking financial independence that would enable them meet their basic needs as did the few employed mates who had even employed others. This lack of financial education was blamed on lack of resources to enable the youth access relevant education and training for employment as well as start their own businesses that would give them the needed empowerment that would in turn promote sustainable peace.
Influence of education for empowerment on curbing cultism
From the study it was evident that the majority of the youth had only basic education which did not match with the needs of the job market because there was a great mismatch between the education provided and the labour market. The education provided could not therefore enable the youth find employment to fight idleness and dependency.
Education for self -awareness was considered relevant in empowering the youth to understand who they are and make choices and decisions on matters that concern them. Education systems were not teaching on education about peace for peaceful co-existence in the society by cultivating a culture of peace which contributes to curbing cultism.
Influence of youth practical skills on curbing cultism
According to the findings on practical skills the majority of the youth lacked the most competitive skills in the labor market such as ICT and entrepreneurial skills to be competitive in the job market.
Lack the competitive skills was due to the education system and training not equipping them with relevant skills for employment thus not able to secure jobs which would translate to a reduction in crimes, idleness and poverty for sustainable peace. The vocational institutions were also inadequate and the vulnerable youth did not have funds to access training in the available vocational institutions.
Discussion of key findings
This section deals with discussion of the key findings from the study and subjection of the same on literature from the other studies as per the variables.
Influence of youth financial education on curbing cultism
According to the findings the youth were not financially independent as indicated by their unemployment rates. This indicated they were idle and vulnerable to engage in criminal activities like robbery with violence that undermines peace. This concurs with Parson (2004) on youth bulge proponents who argue that unemployed youth are more susceptible to militarization and armed conflict.
Unemployed youth unlike the employed depended on others for basic needs. This dependency and poverty brought about by unemployment is a threat to peace in the country culminating from crimes which is in line with Ngariko& Nkurunziza (2005) that in Burundi youth unemployment and poverty are cited as contributing towards insecurity in the post conflict country, especially ongoing incidences of banditry.
Lack of funds to establish own businesses was a hindrance for their self-reliance hence the need to empower the youth financially which is also supported by Mudavadi (2000) & Barker et al (2000) on availing funds and financial support in order to employ young entrepreneurs.
Education was not affordable for vulnerable youth who were not able to pay school fees and other levies which concurs with Karemesi (2010) who observes that costs such as examination fees, salary top ups, textbooks, teaching materials, school uniforms, feeding, transport and sports are major constraints to achieving universal basic education especially for the poor. Due to inability to pay for their fees the young people dropped out of schools. On that note Kogo (2000) defines the 8.4.4 education curriculum as having failed because of high dropout rates from both primary and secondary schools. This meant that the youth could not go on with their higher education to enhance their employability.
Influence of education for empowerment on curbing cultism
According to research findings the majority of the youth had only basic level of education which was an indication that they did not proceed with higher education which is in agreement with Nigeria Examination Council (2009) that after the 2008 KCPE only 64% proceeded with higher secondary education due to limited vacancies and financial costs from families on the other hand those students pursuing higher education are a smaller fraction of the initial figure enrolled in primary education.
The education system failed to provide relevant kind of education that would make the school leavers employable after school as it did not integrate the modern skills such as ICT skills. This concurs with Playfoot &Hall (2009) who reported a significant disconnection between education system and the needs of 21st century employees both public and private arguing the match between requirements and provision appears ill fitting in many countries. Education provided did not match the needs of the job market for the youth to secure employment that is why Muchira (2002) calls for a complete overhaul of African’s foreign based academic system and institutionalization of education system that will avail non- formal instruction for children who are not able to attend normal schools.
Education for self- awareness was considered essential in enabling the youth to understand themselves better and also make wise decisions as well as choices in life without being influenced by others. This would prevent any attempt to lure them into political ponds for manipulation anytime there are elections or other political activities. On that note Bay and Donholm uses their cases in South Africa, Rwanda and Zimbabwe to illustrate how those countries are using tragedies to enhance individual and community resilience by empowering young people and equipping them with appropriate information, attitudes and tools to make better choices in life.
The education system was not empowering the youth adequately with education about peace which is significant in enhancing peaceful co-existence among people by promoting a culture of peace. On that note H.B Danesh (2007) states that one of the main reasons for what he refers as high incidences of conflict and war in different societies is the nature of education provided. Education has enormous impacts on the present and absences of a proclivity to violence in every new generation. Education about peace would greatly promote a culture of peace by deconstructing structures that undermine sustainable peace.
Influence of youth practical skills on curbing cultism
From the study the youth had only basic literacy and numeracy skills that did not meet the needs of the labour market. Lack of relevant skills like ICT and entrepreneurial skills contributes to unemployment and poverty which concurs with Mihyo &Ogbo (2000) who contend that studies attributed rampant poverty and economic performance in Africa to lack of skills to turn Africa’s abundant natural resources into wealth.
Lack of the necessary skills was due to the education system and training being too theoretical and thus failed to provide relevant practical skills to enhance youth employability .On that note Mudavadi (2002) states that in the employment process the prime goal of any education system should be to equip young people with training, skills and attitudes necessary for a productive life without depending on the employer.
The vocational institutions were inadequate having closed down, therefore it was paramount to re-open them which is in agreement with Mudavadi (2002) who believes that village polytechnics could be set up on large scale to dispense more skills and training that can be utilized in entrepreneurial enterprises.
Available vocational institutions had failed to disseminate quality skills for youth self- reliance especially due the curriculum inability to meet the needs of the job market thus the youth lacked the necessary skills for employment. On that note Mihiyo &Ogbo (2000) suggest that to spearhead Africa’s entry into the global society, young people should be equipped with information and technology skills and proper methodologies to transfer such skills.
Conclusion
From the study it is evident that majority of the youth were not in any form of employment hence were not financially independent. This meant that they could not afford basic needs and were dependents on others for upkeep. Most of the youth just had basic education which lacked the competitive skills such as technological and entrepreneurial skills demanded for in the labour market thus hindered their upward mobility and empowerment. This was blamed on education system and training failing to meet the needs of the job market. This left the youth vulnerable to engage in activities that do not promote peace in the area.
Recommendations
From the findings of the study it was recommended that;
- The Ministry of Education should tailor the curriculum to the needs of the job market by integrating technological and entrepreneurial skills. Courses such as education about peace and education for self -awareness should also be integrated in the education system because they would impact positively in promoting a culture of peace.
- The government should take care of the vulnerable students in education and training by allocating more funds for bursaries, scholarships and loans. They should also control levies by schools that makes education unaffordable.
- The government should re-open the polytechnics that closed down for the youth to get vocational training on various skills for self -employment in the labour market. The institutions should be well equipped with modern equipments to provide proper training on practical skills.
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