STUDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS FORMS OF EVENING CLASSES FOR FORMAL SCHOOL QUALIFICATION IN NORTHCENTRAL AND NORTH-WESTERN STATES, NIGERIA

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Date
1975
Authors
Urevbu, Andrew Oghenero
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Abstract
This study investigated the background characteristics of participants in evening classes and explored some factors which influence their participation in North-Central and North-Western States. Such a study has practical value, for participants may have characteristics which may help to explain the success or failure of the evening class programmes provided at present. The study also investigated students' perceived motives in studying for their chosen qualifications, their reasons for deciding to study by evening classes and also their reasons for continuing to participate in evening classes. It was regarded as necessary to duplicate this study and know whether or not the characteristics and motivation of participants in the two states are similar. This should be important to researchers since comparisons between two states might lead to valid generalizations. Five positional factors (age, sex, marital status, employment status and annual income) and three psychological factors (academic motivation, future security and personal adjustment) were selected for this study. Data for this investigation were collected from a randomly selected sample of participants in evening classes in North-Central (N = 210) and North-Western (N = 51) states, utilising a survey questionnaire and Student Problem Inventory (S.P.I.). A Bivaciats research design utilising X2 (chi-square) statistics was used to study the relationship between positional and psychological factors and participation in evening classes; and the strength of significant relationship was measured by C (Pearson’s contingency coefficient). The results of the study indicated the following: 1. Evening classes participants in North-Central and North-Western states were similar. 2. Statistical tests of the data revealed a significant relationship (P^.05) between age, sex, employment status, annual income, academic motivation, future security and participation in evening classes. Marital status and the psychological trait of personal adjustment were not significantly related to participation in evening classes. For the most part, these variables operated similarly within the two states selected for this study i.e. North- Central and North-Western State. 3. Results derived from the calculations of C (Pearson's contingency coefficient) showed a high strength of significant relationships, notably between the variables annual income (North-Central State, C = .4781; North-Western State, £ = .5335); age (North- Central State, £ = .4337; North-Western State, C = .4229); future security (North-Central State, C = .4125; North- Western State, C = .3447) and participation in evening classes. 4. A widely endorsed reason why students in evening classes study for their chosen qualification is to pass an examination that would lead them to a higher qualification. There was also the necessity to fill gaps in earlier education and training. 5. Most students decide to study for their chosen qualification by evening classes partly because there were no other means conveniently available for them by which they can take the course reasonably cheaply and partly because they were unable to gain admission into full time classes. 6. Students seem likely to continue to participate in evening classes if their part-time tutors are well qualified and show dedication to duty, and also if the evening classes are well organized. It was concluded that in investigating the relationship between ..the selected positional and psychological factors and participation in evening classes, a bivariate analysis was good for an exploratory study such as this. However a multivariate analysis was suggested once researchers are satisfied that sufficient exploratory work had been done at a bivariate level. Other areas suggested for further research included the area of organization and planning of evening classes, and the problem of dropout from evening classes- Moreover further participation research is needed to investigate the ethnic background of participants in evening classes. It was contended that these research areas might be of value to planners and agencies of evening class programmes.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA.
Keywords
STUDENTS,, PARTICIPATION,, VARIOUS FORMS,, EVENING CLASSES,, FORMAL SCHOOL,, QUALIFICATION,, NORTHCENTRAL,, NORTH-WESTERN STATES,, NIGERIA
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