Tag Archives: Secondary Schools

WORK ETHICS AND ATTITUDES OF CHRISTIAN CIVIL SERVANTS

WORK ETHICS AND ATTITUDES OF CHRISTIAN CIVIL SERVANTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABEOKUTA SOUTH OF OGUN STATE

ABSTRACT

The standard of education in Nigeria is rapidly depreciating or falling and these can be traced to poor and lackadaisical attitude of supervisors of student-teachers. Also, the issue of work ethics and attitudes of civil servants especially teachers in Ogun state remains the major challenges confronting the State. It can be observed that rules and regulations are no longer observed in the civil and public service probably because of lack of proper motivations on the part of the government and those that manage our educational system. Methodologically, the population for this study consisted of Christian civil servants in public sectors in selected secondary schools in Abeokuta south, Ogun state which are Abeokuta African Grammar School, Abeokuta Baptist Boys College and Abeokuta Girls Grammar School. Interview of teachers were conducted because it is economical, convenient and practicable way of obtaining relevant, detailed and valid data. Relevant written records, recent books, journals, articles, internet facilities, and other library materials on work ethics, public service code of conducts and school management were used. This research has clearly stated here what the concept of work ethics and civil service are. In course of doing this, it had established the fact that work ethics and the positive attitudes of teachers in Ogun state pursue the same objective. Both are out for character and national building in the life of the students, parents and the government in any given society. Consequently, for education to drive home its set objectives in the life of the people certain values and ethical issues/concepts as it appears in our education system must be in place. When such ethical issues as fairness and Equity, power and Authority, Justice and Injustice, Freedom and Responsibility, punishment, Discipline, Rewards, Equality and Inequality, are adequately harness in our education system, the set objectives will easily be achieved. It recommends that today’s civil service needs to rediscover the time-honoured inbuilt system of training, retraining and adaptive skills in consonance with modern work practices and processes. It must imbibe the culture of innovation both in imagination and routine works as well as in developing appropriate tools for anticipating change and challenges. It must be able to institutionalize change in modern governance and societal development. It must see itself as a tool for the promotion of growth, peace, stability, development and democracy. PTA teachers should be guaranteed the security of their jobs to enable them put in the best in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities. The government should ensure the permanence nature of their service. The massive purge of the civil servants by successive regimes in the bid to reducing the cost of governance should be discouraged in Ogun state.

  

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background to the Study

Civil service is a feature of all nations practiced at federal, state and local levels (Igbokwe-Ibeto et al 9). The public service of any country stands out as the major machinery of government for the formulation and implementation of public policies. It does this by translating the plans and programmes of government into concrete public goods and services for the use of the citizenry. Whatever the system of government in practice in a country, the public service is designed to be the prime mover of the social, academic and economic development of a nation (Oyedele 33).

The civil service has always been the tool available to Nigerian government for the implementation of developmental goals and objectives. It is seen as a pivot for growth of Nigerian economy. It is responsible for the creation of an appropriate and conducive environment in which the economy can perform optimally and it is this catalytic role of the public service that propelled government all over the world to search continuously for better ways to deliver their services (Ikelionwu 1).

For any organization, governmental or non-governmental, a firm or an industry, a factory or a company, social or political, economical or even school organization, it must have standard rules and regulation. An industry for instance that aims at producing high quality products in order to compete well with its competitors in the market has to take a number of measures, its to ensure that it produce high quality materials be it raw materials, expertise, machines, and the control unit of the organization ensures that raw materials or the final products gel screened before any production goes out for sale in the market.

In order to achieve the above target position, they need constant supervision by superior officers to ensure compliance with laid down rules / regulation were (ethics). Thus, the same things apply to education industry. The education industry like any other organization has raw materials in forms of tools, apparatus instruments and other instructional materials. This industry has targets, and a production process in form of selection, admission procedures, teaching staff, and non teaching staff in order to process their products for marketing in the public. These products (student’s teachers) must meet the set standard before they can be marketable. This research takes the position of professional ethics and attitudes as the main issue in the profession and production of teachers.

As a major instrument for implementing government policies, the civil service in Nigeria is expected to be professionally competent, loyal and efficient. Nonetheless, it is now denounced for being corrupt, poorly trained and poorly attuned to the needs of the poor. Ironically, the civil service is expected to play the key role in managing and implementing reform programs in the country. This has led to a number of complex agency problems yet to be resolved. However, it is broadly acknowledged and Nigerian experience attest to this, that when the incentive structure in the civil service remain poor, its efficiency as well as ability to effect policy such as that directed towards reducing poverty will remain very low (Salisu 18). Johnson also maintained that every employer must have means to remove those who do not contribute to its mission (Johnson 34). It is as a result of the above analogy and in response to the questions posed that this study examined the subject matter “work ethics and attitudes of Christian civil servants especially teachers in Abeokuta”.

1.2      Statement of the Problem

Since Governments all over the world exist to provide goods and services (public goods) for its citizens with the primary aim of improving their living condition and the major vehicle of translating these laudable concerns into a reality rests squarely on civil service that is efficient, effective and result-oriented. Unfortunately, the unsatisfactory service delivery of the civil service especially teachers in developing countries has spurred controversies among practitioners and scholars alike in the field of education in Ogun state.

In fact, many scholars have made efforts to ascertain the factors that impinge on effective and efficient service delivery of teachers in Ogun state, yet all efforts proved abortive (Ojiaku 4). This accounted for the near collapse of the educational system in Ogun State (Adegoroye 1) due to teacher’s negative attitude which had direct impact their teaching profession in Abeokuta South with reoccurring failures of Abeokuta students in WAEC/NECO which may be traceable to some certain foundational problems. Therefore, this research seeks to investigate the work ethics and attitude of civil servants towards their profession in selected secondary schools of Ogun state.

It is regrettable that Christian Civil servants should fight for the society in eradicating exploitation, indiscipline and unholy sharing of wealth has become part and parcel of corruption that is on-going in Nigeria especially in Ogun state ministry of education. Most of the Christians no more allow Christian values to guide their actions in work place. Infact, it is more worrisome to note that Pastors who should have fought absenteeism, bribery, indiscipline, sexual abuses and corruption are now benefiting from moral decay that persist in the Civil service factors militating against Christians ethics in Abeokuta.

1.3      Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this research is to investigate the nature, dynamics and moral conducts in work ethics and attitudes of Christian civil servants especially teachers in selected secondary school in Abeokuta south of Ogun State. More specifically the study aimed to achieve the following set of specific objectives:

  1. To investigate the concept of work ethics and civil service
  2. To evaluate the historical development of civil service in Nigeria including its structure and functions.
  3. To re-examine the history of education in Nigeria, the role and attitude of Christian civil servants in the growth and development of Education in Abeokuta South Secondary Schools.
  4. To assess the concept of teaching and teaching strategies in Abeokuta South Secondary Schools.
  5. To identify the place of job motivation and incentives of civil servants in Abeokuta South Secondary Schools.
  6. To analyze the ethical challenges facing Christian civil servants in Abeokuta South, its effects and the possible solutions.

1.4      Scope of the Study

The study focuses on and limited to the issue of work ethics and attitudes of Christian civil servants in Abeokuta African Grammar School, Abeokuta Baptist Boys College and Abeokuta Girls Grammar School alone; it is structured into five different compartments.  The first compartment introduced the research topic, the problems, scope and significant of the study including its methodology. The second chronicle explored conceptual and theoretical insights central to the subject matter of this research.

The third examines the work content in the context of work ethics and attitudes of Christian civil servants in selected secondary school in Abeokuta South of Ogun State by evaluating the history of education in Ogun state, the practical assessment of the concept of civil service and its ethics among teachers, the ethical investigation of teaching and its strategy, its historical problems and the role of Christian Civil Servants in the development of Abeokuta South and it holistically assess the issue of job motivation and incentives in Abeokuta South secondary schools.

 It also starts the investigation of the laid down work’s ethical codes in the Ogun State Civil Code of Conducts, the type of attitudes that are predominant among Christian’s civil servants in Abeokuta and what can be done to develop right work ethics and attitudes in its workforce through the use of interviews of civil servants in selected secondary schools in Abeokuta South.

The fourth is centered on the ethical effects of work and attitudes on Christian civil servants in selected secondary school in Abeokuta South of Ogun State by assessing the ethical challenges facing Christian civil servants, its effects and the possible solution to the malady in Abeokuta South of Ogun State. The fifth states the summary of findings; conclusion, contribution to knowledge and appropriate recommendations were made.

1.5      Significance of the Study

The study will be highly valuable because it deals with the meaning, purpose, foundation, structure and value of civil service in Nigeria. It will be of great benefits to civil servants especially teachers. It will also unveil the inherent danger that lies in their unethical behavior of teachers, and will enable the civil servants to have an insight and take necessary correction to improve on their service delivery in the public service.

 This research will be a useful material to researchers, the government, teachers and students of management sciences, social sciences and humanities. It will serve as an achievement in the academic circles.  While the topic: “Work Ethics and Attitudes of Christian Civil Servants” may not be strange to them, its application to the private and public schools will definitely arouse their interest, which can be in the area of increasing knowledge, adopting its recommendations or serve as a foundational document for further research. 

1.6      Research Methodology

A number of methods were adopted in this research, it includes theoretical method through which contributions of some written records, recent books, journals, articles, internet facilities, and other library materials work ethics, public service code of conducts and school management, and related topics were used. The population for this study consisted of Christian civil servants in public sectors especially in selected secondary schools in Abeokuta south, Ogun state which are Abeokuta African Grammar School, Abeokuta Baptist Boys College and Abeokuta Girls Grammar School. The use of interview was employed because it is economical, convenient and practicable in order to be able to obtain comprehensive and details information on the issue of work ethics and attitudes of Christian civil servants in selected secondary school in Abeokuta south of Ogun state.

1.7      Definition of Terms

The following are the salient terms that are used in this research:

  1. Work: It is the activities and labour necessary to the survival of society. It is the physical or mental activity directed toward the accomplishment of a task; the labour by which a person earns his livelihood. Man as created was intended to work.
  2. Ethics: The word ethics is from the Greek word ήθος, originally the lonic form of έθος meaning “character.” Johnson states that ethics is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong; a group of moral principles or a set of values. It is therefore the system or code by which attitudes and actions are determined to be either right or wrong (Johnson 319). Gardner also asserts that ethics is the critical study of morality, which consists of a systematic analysis of the nature of the moral life of man, including both the standards of right and wrong by which his conduct may be guided and the goods toward which it may be directed (Gardner 3).
  3. Christian: Christian is the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were “brethren,” “the faithful,” “elect,” “saints,” “believers.” But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name “Christian” came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
  4. Civil Service: Civil service is commonly used as the synonym of the machinery of the government to assist the decision makers (Adamolekun 4). It is normally used when referring to the body of men and women employed in a civil capacity and non political career basis by the Federal and state Governments primarily to render and faithfully give effect to their decisions and implementation (Ipinlaiye 8) and that development involves economic growth, some notion of equitable distribution, provision of health care, education, housing and other essential services (Naomi 4).

 

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USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ESAN CENTRAL L.G.A, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the Use of library resources by secondary schools in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. To guide this study, five research questions were raised. The purposive sampling techniques was adopted by the researcher to select 200 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was formulated and equal number was administered to the respondents so as to generate data for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using tables and simple percentage. The findings revealed that Current curriculum text books, dictionaries, fictions, computers devices, journals are available in the school library, teachers in secondary schools often use the available resources so as to meet the curriculum requirement. Library resources are being utilized in order to improve the school curriculum. Lack of fund, lack of proper organization of the school library, constant power outage, poor attitude of the staff, lack of professional trained staff are the problems militating against the availability and use of library resources. It was recommended that teaching staff and library staff should collaborate to ensure that library resources along with electronic resources are appropriately used by the students. The researcher also recommends that adequate resources should be provided information so as to improve the use of library.

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The Importance of Guidance and Counselling in Secondary Schools (A Case Study of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 

 1.1      Background of the Study

Worldwide, students experience social, personal and academic problems at schools and at homes. The problems include living in distressed family, for example, where parents are separated or divorced, where conflicts occur and where disease such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Deficiency Syndrome(HIV/AIDs) are rampant. These problems negatively affect the students in their school endevours.

The problem of Adolescents in the Schools

Robinson (1991) states that ‘’Social experimentation in drugs and sexual relationship have  some causalities among students”. A good number of student engage in drug, prostitution, truancy, indiscipline and other misdemeanours (Robinson 1991). The outcome of the above problems is summarized by Lines and Davies (2003), who view the school as bee hive of activities where teenage difficulties and peer group tension arise. In the light of these problems, schools should be more involved in conducting students’ need assessments and developing comprehensive guidance and counselling services (Kameam, et al 1980). Related to the above is Elkind’s (1990:17) argument that schools should move into a leadership role in dealing with the emotional and family problems of their students.

Nziramanzaga (2009) posits that because of many pressures imposed on the families, parents tend to have little time with their children to give them the necessary guidance. The parents expect the school to provide solutions to their children’s indiscipline in secondary schools.

Paisdly (2001) calls for schools guidance and counselling to be restructured so that they become responsive to the existing social economic and political realities within today’s complex and diverse society.

Research has demonstrated high prevalence of risk taking behaviour among adolescents who attend school in  Kachia Local Government Areas Kaduna State. Okechukwu Obianugu (2010). Students in the adolescent age bracket experience rapid growth and changes, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially (Robinson, Linderman 1991) found that rapid developmental changes occur at a time when environmental stress occur.  For example parents and teachers pressures on young people to excel in school, peer pressure to experiment with drug, conflict in families or poor relationship, loneliness and pressure to make career choices are at peak.

According to Gysbers, N.C. & Henderson, P. (2001) it seems as though many educators take it for granted that students know how to succeed in life, when in fact many never learn about attitude, behaviours and other factors that contribute to success in life; and guidance and counselling services to student to cultivate  attitude and behaviours leading to success in life is very important. Otwell and Mullis (1999) believe that guidance and counselling is important in schools because it increases behaviour related to achievements  such as studying effectively.

In rural areas of some of the villages in  Kachia Local Government Areas Kaduna State, for example, many students drop out of school as a result of poor performance in academic grade and failure to adjust to high school learning situations. A student who loses confidence in his or her ability and who devalues himself lacks concentration and this leads to academic failure. Rectondoki,(2001).

Guidance Counselling and the Domains of Learning

The provision of guidance and counselling should address the following three domains of learning, namely: Personal Social, Vocational career and educational guidance and counselling.

Personal social guidance and counselling deals with self identity, social skills relationships, conflicts resolution, personal loss and other problems; Vocational career counselling includes information about course, requirements, post secondary or tertiary institutions, career path, planning, potential employers and job hunting; Education guidance and counselling provides information about educational opportunities beyond schools; promotion and achievement, learning strategies and studies and test taking skills. (Graham- Migel 1999) reiterated that comprehensive school guidance and counselling services address the development need of students in secondary schools in   the three domains of learning mentioned above. Thus the most function of school guidance and counselling services is to discover their abilities, interests and needs, thereby helping them to make effective adjustment to school life and to give shape to their future plans. Rutondoki (2001) states that complete guidance and counselling should be continuous. Counselling should begin when the student enters school and should carry that student into adult life. The counselling should be preventive in the sense that counselee receive help in order to avoid certain problems.

The present study sought to access whether guidance and counselling services in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State are as effective as expected.

1.2       Statement of the Problems.

It has been noted that students face a number of problems during adolescence (Amakos 1990. Since secondary school students are in the adolescent stage, the need for effective guidance and counselling becomes compelling. Thus there is need to establish the importance of services from schools counsellors and students.

In addition, the view of the school as a context where students experience a number of problems (Line in Daries 2003) as well as the increased number of problems students face in modern society have prompted the researcher to investigate the importance of school guidance and counselling services in  Kachia Local Government Areas Kaduna State’s secondary  schools.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

                        The purposes of the study are:

  1. To examine the adequacy and quality of guidance and counselling personnel in Government secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
  2. To investigate the adequacy of guidance and counselling facilities in secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
  3. To examine the guidance and counselling services carried out in secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
  4. To find out the factors hindering effective guidance and counselling service, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

1.5       Significance of the Study

It is envisaged that the study will benefit school counsellors, students, researchers, policy makers and administrators by making relevant information available about guidance and counselling programmes. It will help school counsellors with information and criteria with which to evaluate their guidance and counselling services. It will help parents to know the effect of guidance and programmes in shaping the future of their children. It will also provide the information needed  by students in order to weigh the value of the guidance and counselling services which the school offer them.

1.5       Research Questions.

                        The following  research questions were put forward to guide the study.

  1. Do secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have adequate and qualified school guidance and counsellors?
  2. Are the guidance and counselling facilities in secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State adequate in number and quality?
  3. What are the guidance and counselling services provided by secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
  4. What are the obstacles to effective guidance and counselling services in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State?

1.6       Scope of the study:

The research limits the topical coverage of the study to the assessment of guidance and counseling services offered within secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

1.7       Limitation of the Study:

This  research had several limitations:

The study was primarily limited by its small sample size. A larger sample size with more diversity would have benefited the results. Therefore to generalize the results for larger area the research should have involved more participants at different levels.

The literature seems not to have established proper causal relationship using the instrument of questionnaire. A greater deal of information would have been obtained with participant observation method.  The researcher was constrained by both time and finance.

However, much effort has been put into it to make the best within the limit of available time and funds.

1.7       Definition of Terms

Assessment: Euvrard, G. (1996) describe assessment as any effort to gather, analyse and interpret. The study sought to access whether guidance and counselling services in the schools are as effective as expected.

  1. Evaluate: Kansayara (2005) defines it as the judgement of the quality of something. In this study it is the making of judgement about the worthiness or importance of school guidance and counselling services.
  2. Importance: Rund ell (2002) describes it as working well and producing the desired result. In this study it is the extent to which the guidance and counselling personnel’s in secondary schools in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State are accomplishing desired results.
  3. Guidance: Rund ell (2002) defines guidance as advice about what one should do or how one should behave. In this study, it is a process of assisting individuals to help themselves through their own effort, to discover and develop their own potentials for personal fulfillment and social usefulness.
  4. Counselling: Rund ell (2002) defines it as advice and help that is given to someone experiencing problems. In this study counselling means helping students to help themselves.
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