| 1 |
Author(s):
Abdulai Boare Iddrisu, Christopher Saaha Bornaa, Dennis Offei Kwakye, Stephen Atepor, Ayishetu Gariba, Felli Gideon Kupule Adobaturu.
Page No : 1-21
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Teacher Characteristics and Students’ Performance in Mathematics
Abstract
While many researchers have investigated the causative factors of students’ poor academic performance, the extent to which teachers’ individual characteristics affect students’ performance in mathematics, to the best knowledge of the researcher, has received little academic attention. This necessitated the study. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods design involving three hundred and seventy-two (372) respondents who were sampled through Simple Random Sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect primary data and this was complemented by an extensive literature review. The analysis of the collected data revealed that teachers’ qualifications, teachers’ choice of methodology, teachers’ mastery of content, teachers’ punctuality to class and teachers’ relationship with students affect students’ performance in mathematics in Sagnarigu Municipality. It was recommended among other things, that the stakeholders in education should ensure that only teachers who are qualified to teach mathematics are assigned to do so in all Senior High Schools within the Sagnarigu Municipality.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Abdul-Majeed Yussif, Felli Gideon Kupule Adobaturu, Linda Wondwoiwe Chibeltu, Ruth Ali Konogweh-Alatinga, Emmanuel Jnr. Adugbilla.
Page No : 22-42
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The Quest for World-Classness: Lessons for Newly Created Public Universities in Ghana
Abstract
There is a growing trend globally, among institutions of higher learning to either claim to be world-class Centers of Excellence or to aspire to be. Evidence of the quest for world-classness by these institutions abound in their strategic mandates, vision, and mission statements. Public universities in Ghana are no exception to the rule, and there seem to be a close competition between so-called traditional universities and newly created ones for world-classness albeit through vision and mission statements. This study sought to examine successes chalked by three selected traditional universities in Ghana and the coping strategies initiated by two recently established ones in their quest to distinguish themselves as world-class centers of excellence. The study adopted the exploratory research method or approach. Relevant documents reviewed included the Act of Parliament establishing the regulator of tertiary education in Ghana; the Acts of Parliament establishing the five selected public universities for the study; strategic mandates, vision, mission statements, core values and reports from the selected public universities. The findings revealed a rigorous criteria or performance indicators prescribed by globally renowned league tables, notably the Times Higher Education World Universities Ranking League. It further revealed that the traditional universities, have featured prominently on world league tables on the basis of global reputation for research, quality of conference papers, citation impact score and number of international collaborations or linkages created, while the newly created ones are yet to make an impression. Thus, the study recommends the prioritization of benchmarked practices.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Acharu Faith Tony-Okeme (Mrs.) Ph.D., Ufedo Iyaji, John Adavuruku Aliyu.
Page No : 43-58
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Appraisal of the Level of Information and Communication Technology Competencies Possessed by Office Technology and Management (OTM) Educators for Effective Training of Self-Reliance Skills in Polytechnics in Kogi State
Abstract
The study was carried out to appraise the level of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies possessed by OTM educators for effective training of self-reliance skills in Polytechnics in Kogi State with a view to finding out the specific skill areas in which competencies are lacking. Six specific objectives and six research questions were raised to guide the study. The study employed the descriptive research design. The population for the study consisted of all the OTM educators at the Federal Polytechnic, Idah and Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. There was no sampling as the population was manageable. A 73-item, 4-point rating scale questionnaire titled: Appraisal of the Level of Information and Communication Technology Competencies Possessed by Office Technology and Management Educators for Effective Training of Self-Reliance Skills in Kogi State (ALICTPOTMEETSS) was used to obtain data from respondents. The findings indicated that OTM educators possessed high competencies in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint; however, they recorded low competencies in Microsoft Access, Microsoft Publisher and Internet skills. The study concluded that these levels of competencies possessed have great implications for the self-reliance of OTM students as it justifies the opinion of a number of researchers that lack of competency in office applications has limited the effective impartation of Microsoft office skills. The study therefore recommended amongst others that OTM educators should be trained and retrained in Microsoft Access, Microsoft Publisher and internet skills for effective training and quality instructional deliveries.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Aiyedogbon Josiah Sunday.
Page No : 59-73
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Attitudes of Secondary School Students towards the Study of Christian Religious Studies in Tertiary Institutions in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State
Abstract
This research investigates the attitudes of Secondary School Students towards the studying of Christian Religious Studies in tertiary institutions in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State. Religion is very important and therefore, it is included in the National Policy of Education right from primary to tertiary level of education (NPE, 2014). In spite of the importance of the subject, students’ attitude towards the subject is not encouraging. This raises future concern on studying the subject. This situation necessitates the need to empirically investigate students’ attitudes towards the subject, especially studying it further in tertiary institutions. This is the gap which this research intends to fill. The research made use of descriptive and survey methods for the inquiry. The survey technique adopted includes the questionnaire which was designed by the researcher for data collection. Mean was used to analyze the data obtained. Criterion mean of 2.50 was raised by adding the assigned values of responses and dividing it with the total number of the responses options which is the summation of 4+3+2+1=10/4=2.50. Therefore, any score below 2.50 was rejected while 2.50 and above was accepted. Findings from the research revealed that students have negative attitudes towards studying Christian Religious Studies in higher institutions due to lack of interest on the part of the students, poor teaching methodology used by teachers and parental influence on the choice of their career. Therefore, the researcher recommends that Christian Religious Studies as a subject should be made compulsory in Secondary schools, the students should be motivated and encouraged by the government and teachers to develop interest in the subject at the Secondary level so that more students can study it as a discipline in higher institutions.
| 5 |
Author(s):
NumbaraBari E. Kayii (PhD), Prof. Margaret E. Akpomi, Prof. Maureen N. Koko, Oghenerukevwei C. Kpesu (PhD).
Page No : 74-86
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Massification of University Education and Instructional Delivery of Business Education Programme of State-owned Universities in South-South Region, Nigeria
Abstract
In response to historical circumstances, most south-south universities enrolled students in excess of their capacity, resulting in massification and negative consequences for educational quality. Increased enrollment has addressed issues of learning content selection and designing appropriate instructional models, which are equally important issues in ensuring the delivery of quality education. Apparently, the graduation rates of students do not match up to address unemployment. The study investigated the relationship between Massification of University Education and Instructional Delivery of Business Education Programme of State-Owned Universities in South-South Region, Nigeria. Two (2) specific objectives, research questions posed were answered and corresponding null hypotheses were stated, posed, formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlation research design was adopted for this study and the population consisted of eighty-three (83) Business Education lecturers in the six (6) state-owned universities offering Business Education in South-south region, Nigeria. No sampling method was employed as the entire population served as a sample of the study. Two (2) sets of instruments titled “Questionnaire on Massification of University Education (QMUE) and Business Education Instructional Delivery Scale (BEIDS)” were used for data collection, which were validated by three experts in Business Education and Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability index of 0.81 and 0.78 were obtained respectively using the test-retest method. Research questions were answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and t- transformational test was conducted to ascertain if the null hypotheses were significant or not. It was found out that there was a significant relationship between Massification of University Education and learning/content selection and instructional models as components of instructional delivery of Business Education programmes in State-Owned universities in the South-South region. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that Business Education lecturers should select, design, and organize learning materials that stimulate and arouse students to reflect on what and how they are learning as they provide a high tech approach for students to utilize different technologies to aid students’ learning.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Olufowoke M. Oyeyipo.
Page No : 87-100
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Drug Intake and Family Planning Counselling Methods Among Mothers in Cross River State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was undertaken to consider drug intake counselling and nutritional counselling methods among mothers in Cross River state, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were drawn to direct the variables under study; relevant literature was reviewed in line with the research objectives with most of the reviewed study supporting the theoretical framework. Ex-post facto design was adopted for the study. The selection was done through the sampling and purposive sampling technique. The reliability estimate was established through sampling and purposive sampling technique. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the Cronbach Alpha reliability method. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was the statistical analysis technique adopted to test the hypotheses under study. All hypotheses were tested using .05 levels of significance. From the data analysis, the researcher investigated the study and offered in agreement that drug intake counselling and nutritional counselling afford mothers a better birth outcome and well being. The researcher in agreement with the study of Leste, Andreozzi and Appiaihm (2004) adjoined that maternal smoking during pregnancy produces adverse effects for the foetus through several pathways. The researcher likewise agrees with the opinion of Kamuhabwa and Jalal (2011) that more than 90% of pregnant women take prescription or non-prescription drugs at some point in time during their pregnancy that are harmful to their foetus.
| 7 |
Author(s):
O.M Oyeyipo.
Page No : 101-109
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Postnatal Counselling Method and HIV/STD Counselling Method Among Mothers in Cross River State
Abstract
The paper focuses on postnatal counselling methods and HIV/STD counselling methods among mothers in Cross River state. The researcher, in consonance with Faundes (2008), stated that unsafe abortion can lead to the termination of the woman’s life, infertility and fatality. In support of Angeles, Abel and Jacques (2021), the researcher agreed in accordance with the finding of the study that in improving the physical, mental and social health of mothers, their babies and their households would be placed at an advantage. Two research questions were drawn and two null hypotheses were generated to direct the variables under study. Also, relevant literature was reviewed in line with the research objectives with most of the literature supporting the theoretical framework. Ex-post facto design was adopted for the study. A sample of 600 respondents was randomly selected for the study from a population of 3,006. The selection was done through the sampling and purposive sampling technique. The questionnaire called (SMCQ) was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face validity by one expert in Guidance and Counselling and two experts in Measurement and Evaluation in the Faculty of Education, University of Calabar. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the Cronbach Alpha reliability method. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was the statistical analysis technique adopted to test the hypotheses under study. All hypotheses were subjected to testing at .05 level of significance. From the data analysis, the researcher found that postnatal counselling and HIV/STD counselling significantly influence safe motherhood practices among women of reproductive age. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher agreed with Taheri, Takian and Taghizadan (2019) that the most effective strategies to create a positive birth experience are supporting women during birth, postnatal and postpartum periods. The researcher in support of previous studies by Al-Mustapha and Sam Aguda (2020) also noted that significant predictors of uptake of provider initiated HIV/STD testing and counselling and that the women might be willing to disclose their status in an environment where support is provided by a counsellor / health worker.
