ABSTRACT
Corruption
has a negative effect on Nigerian standard of education. The problem of
education emerged from the neglect which the sector suffered from the 1980s
leading to the gradual erosion of the system. Inadequacy of funding, lack of
teaching tools and modern classrooms, poor numerations and the acute shortage
of qualified teachers, have all contributed to the fall in the standard of
education in Nigeria. This study examined the
nature of corruption in Nigeria, determined the nature of the falling standard
of education in Nigeria and determined the effect of corruption on the falling
standard of Education in Nigeria.
Simple random
sampling with proportionate representation was used to determine sample size
(50) graduate from educational institution of Nigeria. Structured questionnaire
was used for data collection and this was supplemented with interview of key
informants. Data were analyzed using Chi-square statistical tool. Results
showed that Educational standard in Nigeria are significantly low.
The level of
corruption in Nigeria is not significantly low and that the effect of
corruption on the educational standard in Nigeria is significantly high.
In conclusion, Corruption
has so grown that it has become a household name in the country; every sector
is affected including the education sector.
It was recommended
that Students should be enlightened to report corruption cases to appropriate
authorities set up in the school and right measures should be taken to punish
offenders.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page - - - - - - - - ii
Declaration - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
Table of Contents - - - - - - - vii
CHAPTER
ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study - - - - -
1.2 Statement of General Problem - - - -
1.3 Objective of the Study - - - - - -
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - -
1.5 Hypothesis
- - -
- - -
- - -
1.6 Significance of the Study - - - - -
1.7 Scope of the Study - - - - - -
1.8 Definition of Terms - - - - - -
CHAPTER
TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
2.2 Conceptual Framework- - - - - - - -
2.3 Theoretical Framework- - - - - - - -
2.4 Empirical
Framework- - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
3.2 Research Design - - - - - - - -
3.3 Area of the Study - - - - - - - -
3.4 Population of Study - - - - - - - -
3.5 Sample size and Sampling Techniques - - - - -
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - -
3.7 Validity of the Instrument - - - - - - -
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument - - - - - -
3.9 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - -
3.10 Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - - -
4.2 Characteristics of the Respondents - - - - -
4.3 Data
Analysis - - - - - - - - -
4.4 Testing Hypothesis - - - - - - - -
4.5 Summary
of Findings - - - - - - - -
4.6 Discussion of Findings - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - -
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - -
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - -
References
- - - - - - - - - -
Appendix - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
One
of the greatest threats to Education, social, economic, and political
development of any nation is corruption. Therefore, the challenges of
corruption remain a major devastating issue facing Nigeria since the colonial
period, although, this phenomena has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep
into the fabrics of our system. The United Nations Global Programme against
Corruption (GPAC) defines it as “abuse of power for private gain”. The
Transparency International has chosen a clear and focused definition of the
term as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. It can also be defined
as a pervasion or change from the general accepted rules or laws for selfish
gain (Farida, 2010). The World Bank however defines corruption as: The abuse of
office for private gains. Public office is abused for private gain when an
official accepts, solicits or extorts a bribe. It is also abused when private
agents actively offer bribes to circumvent public offices and processes for
competitive advantages or profit. In view of the above, Agbu (2003:3) observed
that public office can be abused for personal benefit even if no bribery
occurs, through patronage and nepotism, the theft of state European Scientific
Journal February 2013 edition vol.9, assets, or the diversion of state
resources. Given this development therefore, corruption connotes any behavior
that deviates from an established norm with regards to public trust. It also
means theft of public trust whether the person concerned is elected, selected,
nominated or appointed and it does not matter whether the person affected holds
office or not since anybody can be corrupt.
1.1
Background of the Study
The problem of
education emerged from the neglect which the sector suffered from the 1980s
leading to the gradual erosion of the system. Inadequacy of funding, lack of teaching
tools and modern classrooms, poor numerations and the acute shortage of
qualified teachers, have all contributed to the fall in the standard of
education in Nigeria. Westernized Nigerian society which is a high source or
way of distribution to students instead of studying, students (pupils) spend
their time watching television, playing video games, listening to music
channels (Channel O) and the present calamity face book, hi5, on line media
etc. which prevent them from reading that’s necessary for knowledge
acquisition.
Lack of
dedication and punctuality to duty by the teachers has contributed to the fall
in the standard of education. The teachers show divided loyalty to the teaching
job; most teachers pay lip-service to their job, spending more time and energy
in other businesses and less time in the classroom.
Parents also
share in the blame; most of them simply do not care about their children’s
education. They put all their attention towards money-making, leaving the
children’s guidance and motivation to the house maids and drivers, as a result,
the children’s projects, home work will not be done, neither will they be
reminded to study at home. Some children derail and drop out.
Government is
largely responsible for the falling standard of education; they change policies
concerning education so frequently, leaving both teachers and students
confused. They also do not equip classroom and laboratories appropriately to
make for effective learning. Corrupt officers who misuse institutions’ money/funds
go unpunished. Exam malpractice which is one of the major causes of falling
standard of education has not been tackled by the government. Look at the TSS
issue, frequent strikes and the present universities’ school fees increase.
To gauge the
seriousness of a society, especially its seriousness about attaining national
development goals, we need to appraise the nation’s educational system.
Can we harvest
the critical/creative minds necessary to manage the democratic process if we do
not invest in human capital development? Or compete in the globalized world of
the twenty fifth century; if a nation does not face its education development
seriously, then there is a lot that is wrong with such society.
To revive the
educational sector in order to help in building the individuals to be able to
assist the process of developing the society, government should make sure our
schools are equipped with functional libraries and laboratories, with
classrooms having modern instructional technologies; computers connected to the
internet, projectors audio-visual and video conferencing equipment etc.
Teachers cannot
perform miracles without the necessary teaching aids (tools). Primary and
secondary schools, which are the foundation of education should be properly
built, funded and adequately staffed. It is also the duty of the healthy
learning environment which also aids the teaching and learning interaction.
That is why the United Nations benchmark is that countries must put 26% of
their budgets into education.
If the government
provides or educates its citizens through functional education then the people
will take their right places in the social, political, economic and even
religious life endeavors so we can reach great heights and be among the first
twenty countries by 2020.
1.2
Statement of the Problem
The problem of
education emerged from the neglect which the sector suffered from the 1980s
leading to the gradual erosion of the system. Inadequacy of funding, lack of
teaching tools and modern classrooms, poor numerations and the acute shortage
of qualified teachers, have all contributed to the fall in the standard of
education in Nigeria. One of the greatest threats to Education, social, economic, and
political development of any nation is corruption. Therefore, the challenges of
corruption remain a major devastating issue facing Nigeria since the colonial
period, although, this phenomena has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep
into the fabrics of our system. The United Nations Global Programme against
Corruption (GPAC) defines it as “abuse of power for private gain”. The
Transparency International has chosen a clear and focused definition of the
term as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. It can also be defined
as a pervasion or change from the general accepted rules or laws for selfish
gain (Farida, 2010).Therefore it is disheartening to note the many funds which
were budgeted and allocated for the development of the Educational sector have
been diverted for selfish personal gains. The problem confronting this research
therefore is to appraise how corruption has contributed to the fall of the
standard of education of in Nigeria.
1.3
Objective
of the Study
1 To determine
the nature of corruption in Nigeria
2 To determine
the nature of the falling standard of education in Nigeria
3 To determine
the effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in Nigeria.
1.4
Research
Questions
1 What is the
nature of the falling standard of education in Nigeria?
2 What is the
nature of corruption in Nigeria?
3 What is the
effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in Nigeria?
1.5
Significance
of the Study
The study shall
proffer a detail appraisal of the nature of corruption in Nigeria.
The study shall
appraise the falling standard of Education in Nigeria
And seek to
determine the effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in
Nigeria.
The study shall
provide significant information for experts in the Educational sector.
1.6
Statement
of Hypothesis
1 Ho The Educational Standard in Nigeria is low
Hi The Educational Standard in Nigeria is
high
2 Ho The level of
corruption in Nigeria is low
Hi The level of corruption in Nigeria is
high
3 Ho The effect
of corruption on the Educational
standard in Nigeria is low
Hi The
effect of corruption on the Educational standard in Nigeria is high
1.7
Scope of the Study
The study is focused on the appraisal of how corruption has
contributed to the fall of the standard of Education in Nigeria.
1.8
Definition
of Terms
EDUCATION DEFINED
Osindeinde (1999) stated that education is an
organized and sustained communication designed to bring about learning which
involves the acquisition of basic and necessary skills, knowledge and
competence by the learner to change his/her attitude positively towards
contributing to the national economic development.
Standard of
Education Defined
Teachers
without Boarders (2006) reported that the standard of education is how the
products of schools can be measured in terms of outcome. That is, a measure of
how school leavers contribute to the society in terms of cognitive, affective
and psychomotor. This is in terms of skills, knowledge and right attitude
acquired by graduates the country produces. When the standard is low,
half-baked graduates are produced. These graduates go into the market with less
than knowledge and less skills and often with dubious attitudes
CORRUPTION
DEFINED
The World
Bank however defines corruption as: The abuse of office for private gains.
Public office is abused for private gain when an official accepts, solicits or
extorts a bribe. It is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to
circumvent public offices and processes for competitive advantages or profit.