CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The primary gauge for assessing effective teaching lies in the extent of student learning achieved. While teachers play a crucial role, the control they have over what students learn is limited. Educational authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as school administrators and corporate organizations, are working towards optimizing personnel, materials, and infrastructural resources to improve school planning and instructional outcomes.
School resources encompass educational facilities and other necessities essential for effective teaching and learning. Educational facilities, as described by Cestaldi (1977), empower skillful teachers to attain instructional effectiveness beyond what is possible without them. Adequate resources contribute significantly to enhancing teachers' effectiveness in secondary schools, thereby influencing the achievement of set educational goals. A shortage or unavailability of these resources can adversely affect the quality of education imparted in many secondary schools.
School resources cover a broad spectrum, including classrooms, dormitories, halls, libraries, laboratories, workshops, sports facilities, school farms, and funding for seamless school operations. Other resources involve school equipment like desks, chalkboards, stationery, teachers' furniture, and offices, as well as material resources such as books, drawing boards, models, slides, laboratories, libraries, lecture halls, and workshops.
Human resources, often termed manpower, encompass all individuals administering the educational system, such as teachers and librarians. Teachers, positioned at the core of the educational process, play a pivotal role in its success. As Musa (1987) notes, the quantity and quality of teachers significantly influence the outcomes of any educational system. Effective teaching requires both adequate school resources and professional training to meet educational goals. With the continuous rise in student population in secondary schools, ensuring adequate resources becomes imperative for teachers' effectiveness. This study aims to explore the relationship between secondary school resources and the teaching effectiveness of teachers at the secondary school level.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The implementation of the government's free and compulsory education policy has led to a surge in student enrollment in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. This influx has increased teachers' workload, impacting their effectiveness. The inadequacy of essential educational resources in these schools, including classrooms, adequate spaces for larger class sizes, deteriorating school buildings, shortage of educational equipment, and a lack of qualified teachers, has adversely affected teaching effectiveness.
Key resources like laboratories, workshops, computers, typewriters, and instructional materials are often neglected, left unused due to minor issues without repairs. The absence of a maintenance culture has led to leaking roofs in school buildings and the deterioration of essential equipment and facilities, contributing to common hazards in schools. Addressing these resource deficiencies is crucial to improving teaching effectiveness in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State.
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1.3 Objectives of the Study
Specific objectives of the study are:
- To identify and examine the secondary school resources that have the most significant impact on teacher's job effectiveness.
- To assess the relative importance of these secondary school resources in predicting teacher job effectiveness.
- To develop recommendations for school leaders and policymakers on how to allocate resources more effectively to support teacher job effectiveness.
1.4 Research Questions
To guide the study and achieve the objectives of the study, the following research questions were formulated:
- What secondary school resources have the most significant impact on teacher job effectiveness?
- How do these secondary school resources compare in terms of their relative importance in predicting teacher job effectiveness?
- What are the specific mechanisms through which secondary school resources influence teacher job effectiveness?
- What are some specific ways in which school leaders and policymakers can allocate resources more effectively to support teacher job effectiveness?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following research hypothesis was developed and tested for the study:
- Ho: There is no statistical significant relationship between secondary school resources and teachers’ job performance.
- Hi: There is a statistical significant relationship between secondary school resources and teachers’ job performance.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study is important for many reasons. The following are the major stakeholders this paper through its practical and theoretical implications and findings will be of great significance:
Firstly, the paper will benefit major stakeholders and policy makers in the education sector. The various analysis, findings and discussions outlined in this paper will serve as a guide in enabling major positive changes in the industry and sub-sectors.
Secondly, the paper is also beneficial to the organizations used for the research. Since first hand data was gotten and analysed from the organization, they stand a chance to benefit directly from the findings of the study in respect to their various organizations. These findings will fast track growth and enable productivity in the organisations used as a case study.
Finally, the paper will serve as a guide to other researchers willing to research further into the subject matter. Through the conclusions, limitations and gaps identified in the subject matter, other student and independent researchers can have a well laid foundation to conduct further studies.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study is delimited to sampled respondents in Uyo Metropolis. Findings and recommendations from the study reflects the views and opinions of respondents sampled in the area. It may not reflect the entire picture in the population.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The major limitations of the research study are time, financial constraints and delays from respondents. The researcher had difficulties combining lectures with field work. Financial constraints in form of getting adequate funds and sponsors to print questionnaires, hold Focus group discussions and logistics was recorded. Finally, respondents were a bit reluctant in filling questionnaires and submitting them on time. This delayed the project work a bit.
1.9 Organization of the Study
The study is made up of five (5) Chapters. Chapter one of the study gives a general introduction to the subject matter, background to the problem as well as a detailed problem statement of the research. This chapter also sets the objectives of the paper in motion detailing out the significance and scope of the paper.
Chapter Two of the paper entails the review of related literature with regards to corporate governance and integrated reporting. This chapter outlines the conceptual reviews, theoretical reviews and empirical reviews of the study.
Chapter Three centers on the methodologies applied in the study. A more detailed explanation of the research design, population of the study, sample size and technique, data collection method and analysis is discussed in this chapter.
Chapter Four highlights data analysis and interpretation giving the readers a thorough room for the discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of data analyzed in the study.
Chapter Five outlines the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study. Based on objectives set out, the researcher concludes the paper by answering all research questions set out in the study.
Definition of Terms
Impact: Impact refers to the measurable and observable effects or influence that secondary school resources have on the job effectiveness of teachers. This involves assessing how these resources shape teaching practices, student outcomes, and overall educational quality.
Secondary School Resources: Secondary school resources encompass the tangible and intangible assets available to educators and students in a secondary school setting. This includes physical resources such as classrooms, textbooks, technology, and laboratory equipment, as well as human resources like teaching staff and administrative support.
Teacher's Job Effectiveness: Teacher's job effectiveness is the degree to which a teacher successfully fulfills their responsibilities and positively contributes to student learning outcomes. It involves the ability to engage students, facilitate effective learning, and achieve educational goals.
Educational Environment: The educational environment represents the surroundings and conditions within a secondary school that can impact teaching and learning. This includes the physical infrastructure, classroom atmosphere, and overall culture of the school.
Teaching Pedagogy: Teaching pedagogy refers to the methods, strategies, and approaches that teachers employ in the instructional process. The impact of secondary school resources on teaching pedagogy explores how available resources influence the effectiveness of teaching methods.
Technology Integration: Technology integration involves the incorporation of technological tools and resources into the teaching and learning process. The impact of secondary school resources on technology integration assesses how access to technology affects teachers' ability to enhance their instructional methods.
Professional Development: Professional development encompasses activities and opportunities that support the ongoing growth and learning of teachers. In the context of this research, the impact of secondary school resources on professional development examines how available resources contribute to or hinder teachers' continuous improvement.
Student Engagement: Student engagement refers to the level of interest, involvement, and participation of students in the learning process. The impact of secondary school resources on student engagement explores how the availability of resources influences students' enthusiasm for learning and their overall academic performance.
Classroom Management: Classroom management involves the strategies and techniques teachers use to create a positive and effective learning environment. The impact of secondary school resources on classroom management assesses how available resources contribute to or pose challenges to maintaining an orderly and conducive classroom setting.
Resource Allocation: Resource allocation refers to the distribution and utilization of resources within the secondary school. Examining the impact of resource allocation on teacher's job effectiveness involves understanding how the allocation of funds, materials, and personnel affects the overall educational experience.
