1.1 Background to the Study
Technical
education programme in Nigeria evolved in response to technological industrial
needs of the people. It has received the backing of the National Policy on
Education (NPE 1977 revised in 1981). The fields of science, Technology and
Engineering have got much to offer in the area of economic development and
provision of modern conveniences to mankind. This is why governments, institutions
and managements emphasize the need for practically oriented technical education
curriculum and the need also to provide effective teaching of technical
subjects in Nigerian colleges (Nkeweke 2007). For anybody to assume the duty of
serving as a technical teacher, such a person is expected to possess the needed
competencies for imparting technical knowledge and skills, especially now that
the emphasis is on competency-based learning (Davies 2001) Today, efforts are
geared towards retrieving Nigeria from the shackles of technological dependence
This is why the Nigerian youths are encouraged to be creative and inventive
oriented through participation in introductory technology, technical education
and engineering studies (Wokocha 1985). Technical teachers have to provide
quality technological training that keeps pace with quality control in
technology education This means that the technical teachers have to plan their
lessons based on good instructional objectives as well as see the learners
through practically. Furthermore. the benefits of technology cannot be
over-emphasized Whereas science produces knowledge, technology produces
gadgets. Technology applies scientific knowledge in providing solutions to
practical problems that plague and puzzle mankind. In other words, mankind put
in labour so as to come out with inventions and discoveries to satisfy his
needs. This explains why people undertake farming work to obtain food, build
houses to obtain shelter, weave and produce clothes to wear against adverse
weather-conditions Mankind also works to discover electricity, pipe borne
water, and many other modern conveniences (Nathaniel 2002).
There
is a general consensus among engineering educators, entrepreneurs, industry and
business leaders that engineering education in Australia is in crisis or
at least is heading towards this direction. Australia, which has a small
population of approximately 20 million inhabitants, is now facing a shortage of
professional engineers, which is a cause for serious concern, and the
prediction is that this problem will only become worse given the dramatic
decline in student enrolment numbers in engineering courses at the university
level (Farrell, 2006). An urgent call for more funding to be directed to
engineering education is needed in order to address the national skills
shortage of professional engineers in Australia. The general perception is that
the current government is not investing enough interest and resources in
improving the engineering education system in Australia, thus neglecting
the future role of this important profession. It is predicted that if the
problem with the skills shortage of engineers and the declining student numbers
is not resolved, then this could have a directly negative affect on the future economy
of Australia because engineers are seen as the creators, innovators,
entrepreneurs and key drivers of the economy.
1.2 Problem statement
Despite
the advantages of technical education, vocational and technical education in
Nigeria are bedeviled with certain constraints (Aghenta 1985) Technical
education contends with training that borders on acquisition of knowledge and
skills in woodworks metalwork, electrical/electronics, welding and fabrication,
building, auto-mechanics etc including workshop organization and management
There are five technical institutions in Nigeria outside the universities
namely-prevocational and vocational schools at post primary level: the
technical colleges, the polytechnics and the colleges of education (technical)
at the post-secondary level established to provide a base for technological
take off of this country, which according to Ekpenyong (1995) are being set
back by lack of funds and inadequate infrastructures. Hence there is need to
evaluate the challenges and prospect of technology education in primary and
secondary schools.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The
major objective of the study is the challenges and prospect of Technology
(Engineering) education in Primary and Secondary schools.
1. To
examine its advantages.
2. To
examine its benefits to the society.
3. To
examine the challenges facing Technology education.
1.4 Research questions
1. what
are its advantages?
2. what
are its benefits to the society?
3. what
are the challenges facing Technology education?
1.5 Significance of the study
The
study gives a clear insight into the challenges and prospect of technology
(engineering) education in primary and secondary schools and the possible
solutions to the challenges.
1.6 Scope of the study
The
research focus on the challenges and prospect of Technology (Engineering)
education in Primary and secondary schools.
References
Aghenta,
J. A (1985) Analysis of Education and Employment of Vocational and Technical
Schools Graduates Human Resources Development Approach in Ehiametalor and
Adesina (Ed), Trend in Vocational Education in Nigeria. Benin Education
Research Association pp. 54-71
Davies,
I.R. (2001) Effective Technical: A manual for Engineering Instructors. New
York: Mcgraw Book Company
Ekpenyong,
L.E. (2005) Foundations of Technical and Vocational Education. Evolution and
Practice. Benin: Ambik Press Limited.
Farrell,
P., Engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship. ATSE Focus, 141, 14
(2006).
Federal
Republic of Nigeria (1981) National Policy on Education (Revised). Lagos;
Federal Ministry of Education Press.
Nathaniel,
T (2002) Science and Technology in the Development of Agriculture in Daily
Sketch 2102-02.
Nkweke
O.C. (2009). A Source Book for Teacher education in Nigeria. (Revised Edition) Port
Harcourt: B Alive Publications Co. pp. 77
Wokocha B. A (1985)
“Retrieving Nigeria from the shackles of technology dependence” in Ukela
Magazines