Abstract:

The study investigated the managerial strategies for proper handling of workshop tools by building technology education students in Rivers State. Specifically, the study sought to investigate planning, organising, co-coordinating and controlling strategies for proper handling of workshop tools by building technology education students in Rivers State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 21 lecturers and 12 workshop attendants in state and federal institutions which encompassed Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port-Harcourt and Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku. The population was manageable and hence the entire population was used for the study. Therefore, no sampling method was adopted. The objectives were formulated, answered and tested at a .05 level of significance. The instrument used for the study was a survey questionnaire. The instrument was face validated by two Vocational Technology Education lectures at Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, and it was tested for reliability using the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient method. A reliability value of .82 was obtained. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while the t-test statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses. The study found among others that planning out the required logical steps for students on the usage of workshop tools, arranging for proper integration of workshop tools in students' practical section, organising safety procedures for students on the usage of workshop tools, organising requisite guideline for students towards the handling of workshop tools. Co-ordinating students to secure workshop tools properly during practical activities, co-ordinating students to maintain a cordial relationship in handling workshop tools, controlling students to be violent free when handling tools in the workshop and overseeing students to avoid anxiety in the use of workshop tools are managerial strategies for proper handling of workshop tools by building technology education students in Rivers State. Therefore, it was recommended that educators of building technology should ensure that the required logical steps concerning general workshop tools management are assured because it will help in giving out requisite guidelines for practical activities.