ASSESSMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION POST-BASIC (STEP-B) PROJECT IN FEDERAL UNITY COLLEGES IN SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the management of the outcomes of STEP-B project, to ascertain the extent to which the project is achieving its objectives and the necessary management factors put in place to ensure the sustainability of the STEP-B activities in the area. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and it was conducted in the south-south area of Nigeria. The population of the study was 10,864 comprising: 17 principals, 102 project team members, 290 S&T teachers and the 10,455 S&T students enrolled for external examination from 2008-2013 in the 17 federal unity colleges (FUCs) in the area. There was no sampling as the entire population of 10,864 was used for the study. Six research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Three instruments used for data collection were: a 35-item questionnaire titled Assessment of the Management and Sustainability of STEP-B project questionnaire (AMSSBPQ), an interview guide, and Record verification. The instruments were validated and trial tested to determine their reliability coefficient which was 0.85. Data for the study were collected by direct delivery method. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer four research questions while frequency and percentage were used for two. A One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the four hypotheses at 0.05 probability level. The findings were presented in Tables and Bar charts. It was found that: the STEP-B project built the S&T teachers’ capacity for quality enhancement and innovation in S&T education to a high extent; the facilities procured by STEP-B project are being utilized and maintained to a high extent. The STEP-B activities are being sustained to a high extent. The S&T students’ academic performance improved and enrolment increased. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) among the mean responses of the project team members and the S&T teachers in the FUCs on the extent the teachers’ capacity was built and the extent the facilities are being utilised. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) on the extent the facilities (including equipment) are being maintained by the federal unity college, and the extent STEP-B activities are being sustained by the FUC authorities in south-south Nigeria. This study has shown that the project was completed and is being sustained; it is also achieving its objective in the FUCs. Therefore, the fears that followed the completion of the project were based on misinterpretation of the management of the project. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the college authorities should make budgets for the continuous sustenance of the STEP-B activities and the FGN should provide the funds; they should continue to train, retrain and motivate the S&T teachers, and also continue to maintain and build on the existing facilities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION iiTITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL PAGE iii
DEDICATION iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v
ABSTRACT vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF FIGURES xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 10
Purpose of the Study 11
Significance of the Study 12
Scope of the Study 14
Research Questions 14
Hypotheses 15
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITRATURE 17
Conceptual Framework 18
Concept of Science and Technology Education Post Basic 18
Concept of Project 20
Description of STEP-B Project 21
Concept of Federal Unity Colleges 30
Concept of Assessment 31
Concept of Management 34
The Scope of STEP-B Project Management 42
– Teachers’ Capacity Building and Motivation 42
– Motivation of Teachers 44
– Utilisation and Maintenance of facilities 45
– Quality enhancement and innovation in S&T education 49
Concept of Sustainability 52 – Students’ Academic Performance and enrolment in S&T Subjects 50
Schematic Representation of Assessment of the Management and Sustainability
of STEP-B Project 54
Theoretical Framework 56
Theories of Management 56
– System theory of management 56
– Assessment theory and Models 59
– Targeting Outcomes of Programmes (TOP) evaluation Model 61
Empirical Studies 64
– Studies on Project Assessment 64
– Studies on School Project Management 67
– Studies on Project Sustainability 79
– Studies on STEP- B Project 80
Summary of the Literature Review 82
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD 87
Design of the Study 87
Area of the Study 88
Population of the study 89
Sample and Sampling Technique 90
Instruments for Data Collection 90
Validation of the Instrument 92
Reliability of the Instruments 93
Method of Data Collection 93
Method of Data Analysis 94
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 96
Results 96
Summary of Findings 115
THE STUDY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUMMARY 117CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS OF
Discussion of Findings 117
Conclusion 125
Implications of the Study 125
Recommendations 127
Limitations of the Study 128
Suggestions for further Study 128
Summary of the Study 128
REFERENCES 132
APPENDICES 138