SOURCE:

Faculty: Education
Department: Vocational Education

CONTRIBUTORS:

Ihionkhan, C. E.
Okolocha, C. C.

ABSTRACT:

The need to improve the quality of graduates of Office Technology and Management (OTM) in Nigeria polytechnics necessitated this study, to assess the adequacy of available human, physical and material resources for the programmes as well as their utilization in polytechnics in south-south Nigeria. Nine research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. Related literature was reviewed under appropriate headings. The Ex post facto and survey research designs were adopted, population was 98 OTM lecturers and instructors. Direct observation schedule and a validated 5 point ratio scale questionnaire were used for data collection. Data for sub-section B1 – B7 were collected through a direct observation schedule prepared in accordance with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) stipulation regarding instructional resources for Office Technology and Management. A 50 items questionnaire was used for data collection for sub-section B8 – B9. The instrument was validated by four experts and tested for reliability using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and a Correlation Co-efficient of 0.75 was obtained. Data collected in respect of the research questions were analyzed with percentages, ratio analysis and the arithmetic mean. Z-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that lecturers and physical facilities available for OTM programmes are adequate in some of the polytechnics and not adequate in others, while equipment and supplies in the computer and typewriting laboratories, shorthand, office practice laboratories, model office and resource business centre are grossly inadequate in all the polytechnics. The findings also revealed that curriculum components are adequate but utilization of available material resources by the lecturers and instructors is inadequate. The respondents did not differ significantly in their mean ratings on adequacy of curriculum components and utilization of available resources as a result of gender and experience. Based on the findings, it was concluded that unless relevant equipment and supplies are adequately provided for OTM programmes, the graduates will not possess relevant competence for success in employment. It was recommended, amongst others, that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should regularly supervise OTM programme every five years to ensure that the stipulated standards are maintained, and that management of polytechnics should equip OTM laboratories and model offices with modern equipment and facilities to enhance students’ acquisition of appropriate skills that will enable them fit into the modern offices.