Sustaining National Development through Quality Technical Education in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Technical Education, which is geared towards preparing people for technological development of a nation, is fast diminishing in terms of recognition and utilization. Consequently, there is serious reduction in production of skilled and competent personnel who drive the economy for sustainable development at craft level in Nigeria. This study therefore was carried out to examine sustaining National Development through Quality Technical Education in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used. The study was conducted in the five Technical Colleges in Ondo state and purposive sampling was used in selecting 55 technical teachers. Three research questions were formulated and answered. A modified structured questionnaire called Sustaining National Development Through Quality Technical Education In Nigeria Questionnaire (SNDTQTEINQ) with a reliability coefficient of 0.82, was used to collect data for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that teaching-learning facilities are grossly inadequate (x? = 1.68, SD = 1.24) most available facilities are obsolete (x? = 1.29, SD = 1.20), infrastructural materials for teaching-learning are rarely utilized (x? = 1.21, SD = 1.25), and there are acute shortage of Technical instructors (x? = 2.24, SD = 1.35; x? = 2.30, SD = 1.37), for effective training and teaching. These culminated to weakening the quality of technical education. Based on these findings, it was recommended that timely intervention is required in the area of providing adequate learning facilities, refurbishing old equipments, provision and utilization of technical infrastructures, and employment of more technical experts to all technical colleges should be given preference if the desired national sustainable development through quality technical education is to be achieved.