THE EFFECT OF LECTURER STRIKE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, EKIADOLOR-BENIN

ABSTRACT

This research work carried on the effect of lecturer strike action on academic performance of students in College of Education in Ovia North East Local Government Area  of Edo State for the accomplishment of the objectives of this research questions was drawn for fifty students, the findings of this research related that;-

1.           Strike is caused by irregularities of teachers’ salary.

2.           Indiscipline of students in various schools

3.           Lack of dialogue between Government and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

Other result to strike actions, the effect of this strike actions is usually decreased in performance of students academic in secondary school, in the years that are strike free. This study identified the fact that persistent strike leads to low moral in both students and teachers. The following recommendations and suggestions according to the research, if taken will reduce or totally eliminate strike.

1.           Attractive remuneration

2.           Adequate financing

3.           Adherence to collective bargaining

4.           Provision of adequate education facilities and infrastructure that will enhance learning.

5.           The use of dialogue in resolving conflicts            

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter One     

Introduction

Background of the study

Research question

Purpose of study

Significance of the study

Scope of study

Limitation of the study

Definition of terms

Chapter Two     

Literature Review

Chapter Three  

Methodology

Population of the study

Sampling techniques

Research instrument

Procedure for data collection

Method of data analysis

Chapter Four    

Analysis of data

Discussion of findings

Chapter Five     

Summary

Conclusion and Recommendation

Suggestion for further research

Reference         

Appendix                      

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF STUDY

As a student one deserves to know what to do in the bid to enhance or explore effective performance in his/her educational aspect. It is probably pertinent to even reassure oneself about who a student is in  to be doing such as individual under discussion find himself or herself in a college, polytechnics or university setting charges with the task of acquiring knowledge, skills and trying to modify his academic performance the role of living in the midst of other colleague and getting about the acquisition of the desired knowledge which are modified and influenced by both the materials and human features of the environments. The profile for this presentation consists of consideration of the responsibilities of a student. A high light of some factors which can hinder the effective performance of the roles of the students are;

1.  Hindrance of one’s self social grove like gang, clique etc

2.  Failure to set target to be accomplished.

3.  Lack of full knowledge or sometimes disregard for school rules and regulation and the most hindrance is the COEASU strike action which could be the talk on this project.     

This project attempts to examine the effect of lecturer strike on the academic performance of students in schools in Nigeria at large and College of Education, Ekiadolor Edo State in particular. The secondary school community is composed of many staff unions; strike by any of these unions has a tendency of lowering the standard of education.

In this work, attention will be paid to the impact of Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT) strike action on student’s academic performance. This is primary because COEASU performs the initial functions of inculcating knowledge on Nigeria secondary schools students. The researcher will also examine the effects COEASU strike has on the quality and standard   of school leavers produced from secondary schools.

A study of this nature is necessary because education has the universal function of contributing to the perpetration of societies by transmitting ideals, values and norms from generation to generation thereby preparing the youth for active role in the society. Education also displays the value conflicts that exist between ideals and real norms that are typical of all cultures.

Fafunwa (2004) in recantation of the above facts stated that an ideal educational medium should be able to help the beneficiaries, develop the abilities, attitude and others forms of behaviour which are positive value to the society in which they live.

Ejoh (2009) also recognized that an ideal education is very important to an individual, his family, his immediate community and the country as a whole. It helps to develop his mental capability, widen his horizon and increases his job options. It is therefore important that every individual acquires basic education. Aristotle (2008) also recognized the indispensable function of education, which he stated in his book that the aims of education should include;

a.           The realizations of the capabilities and potential of individuals

b.           The development of the body  

c.           The training of the appetites which is character or moral development

d.           The development of the intellect or reason. He further hold that non of the above should be emphasized at the expense of the others

In line with the above aims and functions of education, the Nigeria government in its 2001 policy on education are the building;

1.           A free and democratic society

2.           A just and egalitarian society

3.           A United, strong and self-reliant nation

4.           A great and dynamic economy

5.           A land full of bright and full opportunity for all citizens

Presently, education in Nigeria has not been able to achieve the noble objective because it is in deep problems. Paramount among these problems is the incessant COEASUstrike, which has often disrupted academic activities. Many reasons can be seen responsible for these incessant strikes by the NUT. Prominent among those problems according to COEASUare those of funding, lacks of autonomy and dehumanizing working conditions in trying to find a lasting solution to these problems, the long commission set up by the federal government recommended in their report a 90% funding level for next fifteen years 2002-2007.

The recommendations were adopted in the agreement between the federal government of Nigeria and the COEASUunfortunately government reneged on the agreement. For instance, funding in 2006 should have been four times more than what was prescribed by the report but fell short of this expectation because of government attitude towards funding education. The economic down turn and the foreign exchange rates did not help matters. Judging from the economic down turn, the review of the agreement which government bluntly turned down. Folioing this there has been several strikes action by the Nigerian Union of Teachers since then this situation was further aggravated by the way government reacted to NUTS strike action. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue with the teachers, the governments sacked some and even went as far as forcefully ejecting them from their official quarters.

In addition to the humiliation, government refused to pay them their salaries and other entitlement. As a result of this, most teachers left for the private sectors while some others went to private schools in search of greener pastures. Some student’s looks to crime, while others also secured temporary employments and yet others get involve in street hawking and became juvenile delinquents. The consequence of these strike action has led to a condition fall in education standard.

The conflict between the federal government and teachers has been occurring intermittently in some state secondary schools following from this, it becomes pertinent that a lasting solutions be formed through a comprehensive research on the effect of strike on the academic standard of students. This work intends to do this by drawing government attention to the various steps to be taken in order to eliminate these problems once and for all.

Effects of lecturer strike on academic performance of students is principally the effect of strike actions by the academic staff union in Colleges of Education and universalities in Nigeria (ASUU) have had serious side effects on the academic performance of the students. Founded in 1978, t he union organized nationwide strikes to challenge the military regimes of General Mohammed Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida and general Sani Abacha. The union have also used strike actions to demand fair wages, university autonomy, finding of Nigeria Universities/Colleges of Education.

Strike according to Chijioke (2013) “ is an organized work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer or a group of employers” generally COLBEN uses strike as a means to force the government to respect the demands of the union. Almost all heads of state and presidents of Nigeria between 2008 and 2013 have been compelled by COLBEN through strike to meet their demands.

Disruptions in academic programs serve as non-motivational factor to the students. It discourages them from leaving. It is not surprising therefore that during strike actions, most students are seen involved in diverse activities such as sexual immorality, cyber scan, pool betting, unnecessary gossip, watching of films and reading comic materials for entertainment purposes rather their reading their books. In the long run, they soon forget about academic and are no longer prepared for class activities which negatively affect their leaving capability.

Odubela (2012) concluded that an effective learning or an enhanced academic performance is achieved by successful covering of the course outline timely and before the examination. This is rarely achieved with strike action in place. From the above review therefore, the researcher is of the view that disruption in academic programmes as caused by strike action breeds disappointment, frustration, emotional and psychological trauma, unpreparedness on the part of the students and lack of motivation, which sum up to non-conducive environment for effective learning in Nigeria colleges of education and universities, a situation that dampens human development.

However, little attention is given to the effects of COLBEN constant strikes on the academic performance of students in Nigeria universities. This study therefore intends to examine the series of COLBEN strikes and the direct effects it has on the students grade point average (GPA).

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

Colleges of Education and Universities worldwide is regarded as the citadel of knowledge, the fountain of intellectualism, the most appropriate ground for the incubation of leaders of tomorrow. However, over the last thirty years in Nigeria, the university system has witnessed an unprecedented industrial unrest and so many official assaults than other social institutions.  Statistics from the National Universities commission (2002) reveal that since 2002 COLBEN has embarked on strike over 23 times to drive home its demands. As with all industrial conflicts, strikes have significant wider social consequences. Many have argued that those in authorities see universities as a burden and as institutions to be exploited and left desolate. To arrest the situation, COLBEN have went on industrial actions several times with the recent one in 2013 lingering for more than 6 months. There is hardly a full academic session that students and staff, crises will not result in loss of studies, delayed graduation for students and economic waste for students, parents and the country as a whole.

However, little attention is given to the effects of COLBEN constant strikes on the academic performance of students in Nigeria universities. This study therefore intends to examine the series of COLBEN strikes and the direct effects it has on the students, grade point average (GPA).  

1.3    RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

        The general aim of this study is to find out the effects of COLBEN strikes on the academic performance of university students. The specific objectives are:-

To assess the extent to which disruption in academic program in universities affect students learning effectiveness.To determine whether COLBEN students relationship during strike affects students study habit.To examine whether COLBEN strikes have direct effect on student’s academic performance.To determine whether COLBEN strikes motivate students to learn. 

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTION 

To what extent would disruption in academic program in Nigerian universities due to COLBEN strike affect students learning effectiveness?

2.            Would Colben  student relationship during strike affects students study habit?

3.            Do COLBEN strikes have direct effect on students academic performance?

4.            Do COLBEN strikes motivate students to learn?

1.5    SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

        This topic has not been well researched in the existing literature. Thus, the significance of this study lies in its contribution to the body of knowledge as follows;-

This research provides a detailed account of the main disputes and considers specifically some of the factors that are responsible for COLBEN strikes in Nigeria.The study is significant to the state and federal government who will appreciate that the inability to implement the joint decision reached have serious implications for the learning effectiveness of the students.The study is significant to colleges of education and university management who are not in vantage position to apply management techniques by consultation in all issues involving labour problems.The study would also benefit COLBEN member who might not be unaware that the strike actions have direct consequences on their students and should seek alternative means to resolve disputes with federal government of Nigeria.  

1.6    SCOPE OF STUDY

COLBEN was established in 1978 and has since then encountered some of the worst problems in the history of trade unionism in the country, while the primary aim, of this study is to investigate whether COLBEN strikes have direct effects on students overall grade point average, the research also touches on the primary causes and effects of the industrial conflict between the academic staff union of Colleges of Education and the government of Nigeria. Also, rather than focusing generally on the COLBEN disputes since inception in 1978, the study specifically looks at COLBEN strikes from 2009 to 2013 and its consequences on students academic performance.  

1.8    DEFINITION OF TERMS

        In the research, some terms, which are used connotatively, are defined and classified to enable us, understand the context they are used.

L. G. A.: Local Government Area

Instructional Aids (materials): These are teaching materials which teachers use in order to assist in his teaching.

Teaching: A process which bring about a relative change in behaviour over time in academic situation

Method: this is the procedure in which a goal can be achieved in teaching

Student: A person who is studying at a school or college

Teachers: A person who teaches (profession)

Strike: A time or period when work is not done because of disagreement over pay or working conditions

Academics: Teaching and studying in a college or schools subjects taught to provide skills for the mind rather than for the hand.