AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE IN VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined assessment of the facilities and equipment available in Vocational and Technical Education in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is an analytical survey research to determine facilities, safety availability, personnel, and challenges in these schools. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The total population of the study was 254 teachers with a sample size of 150 teachers selected via disproportionate stratified sampling technique. The researcher used a check list to determine the availability of tools/equipment, machineries and infrastructural facilities and a staff records questionnaire titled “Vocational and Technical Education Programme Instrument (VOTEPI)” for staff records. The face and content validity of the instrument was established and a Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument with a reliability coefficient of 0.92 obtained. Data was collected by the researcher and two research assistants. Mean, and standard deviation, number and percentage count were used to answer the research questions, while hypotheses was analysed using one way ANOVA and Chi Square. The findings of this study revealed that availability of qualified teachers to teach is significantly independent of the three programmes in the schools. based on the finding, it was recommended among others that government should ensure that qualified teachers are employed to teach these programmes (Electrical Installation work, Metal Work Construction and Automobile Technology) in a Vocational and Technical Education Schools. moreso, teachers should be trained and re-trained.