INCESSANT STRIKE ACTION IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND IMPACT ON ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES. A CASE STUDY OF DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Academics Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was formed in 1978 as umbrella body for the academic staff members of universities to serve as a channel for dialogue and making their request and grievances to the management of universities and the government. ASUU has constituted a force in recent times. However, many of ASSUs request have not been fully met which as a result has in many occasion prompted the body to embark on strike. (Umagbalasi, 2013). This strike action has always led to negative effects on the student’s academic performance. The concept of strike is viewed as the stoppage of work which is the result of the mass refusal of employees to work, as reaction to employee grievances. Strikes are used to impose pressure on the government to provide infrastructure, improve the working condition of workers and change policies (Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 2015). The remote causes of the strike usually centers on unfavorable working conditions of workers and poor policies which do not enhance the effective execution of job functions of the lecturers. Evidences shows that many of ASSU strike do not yield government full intervention and implementation of agreed terms. The study seeks to appraise incessant strike action in the tertiary institutions and impact on academic activities. A case study of Delta state university.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The strike embarked upon by ASSUU is usually based on reasons to improve working condition and university infrastructures. However, not many of these requests are normally granted. Consequently, ASUU strike leads to the disruption of academic activities which deprives the students the right to learning and advancement over a protracted period of time. As a result, the various campuses are shut down for academic activities. The resultant effects are that many students abandon their studies and engage in unproductive activities such as sexual immorality, cyber scam, pool betting, playing video games, gossips, watching films and reading comic materials for entertainment purposes rather than reading the school notes. These may affect their academic performance.

According to Arukaino (2013), when students idle about it leads to security the problems. Odubela (2012) also stated that ASSUU strike leads to disappointment, frustration, emotional and psychological trauma on the part of students and parents as well. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the incessant strike action in the tertiary institutions and impact on academic activities. A case study of Delta state university.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the incessant strike action in the tertiary institutions and impact on academic activities. A case study of Delta state university; The specific objectives include:

    i.        To determine the impact of incessant strikes on academic activities. 

   ii.        To understand the causes of incessant strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

 iii.        To examine the effects of incessant strikes in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

    i.        What is the impact of incessant strikes on academic activities?

   ii.        What are the causes of incessant strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions?

 iii.        What are the effects of incessant strikes in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

Ho1: There is no significant impact of incessant strikes on academic activities.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study investigates the incessant strike action in the tertiary institutions and its impact on academic activities with a case study of Delta state university. It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies  to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.

 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

STRIKE DEFINED

Strike is viewed as the stoppage of work which is the result of the mass refusal of employees to work, as reaction to employee grievances

EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION DEFINED

Educational Supervision consist of all effort involving school officials directed at t providing leadership to educational workers or teachers to enhance an improved educational system and institution. The process involves the deployment of human and material resources.

EDUCATION DEFINED

 

Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.