The study investigated the Strategies for Effective Implementation of Senior Basic Education (UBE) in Nsukka Education zone of Enugu state, Nigeria. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the strategies for effective implementation of the Basic Education (UBE) in Nsukka Education zone of Enugu state. Four research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research design adopted for the study was the descriptive survey design. The population is 928 subjects made up of all the principals and teachers in the 58 secondary schools in Nsukka Education zone of Enugu state. The researcher made use of 40 percent of the target population, making up a sample size of 205 subjects. A 35-item questionnaire built in 4 clusters addressing the four research questions was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t- test statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found out that the current state of UBE in Nsukka is poor because personnel’s are not trained properly for UBE implementation. The study further revealed that poor infrastructural facilities (e.g. library), inadequate classroom facilities hinders effective implementation of UBE programme in Nsukka. Some strategies that could be adopted to improve effective implementation include: personnel management strategies like recruitment of sufficient trained qualified staff, and planning strategies like accurate statistical data among others.

Title page i

Approval page ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

Abstract vi

Table of contents vii

List of tables x

List of Appendices xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 6

Purpose of the Study 7

Significance of the Study 7

Scope of the Study 9

Research Questions 9

Research Hypotheses 9

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Conceptual Framework 10

Concept of Implementation 11

Effective Implementation 11

Concept of Basic Education 13

Universal Basic Education 14

Concept of Secondary Education 22

Concept of Strategy 27

Theoretical Framework 32

Human Relations Theory 32

Universal Basic Education Model 33

Review of Related Empirical Studies 34

Studies on the present state of UBE programmes 34

Studies on the constraints to effective implementation of UBE programmes 37

Studies on the strategies for effective implementation of UBE program 38

Summary of Reviewed Literature 41

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Design of the Study 43

Area of the Study 43

Population of the Study 43

Sample and Sampling Technique 44

Instrument for Data Collection 44

Validation of the Instrument 45

Reliability of the Instrument 45

Method of Data Collection 46

Method of Data Analysis 46

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Analysis of Research Questions and Hypotheses 47

Summary of the Major Findings 54

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION,

IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SUMMARY

Discussion of Results 57

Conclusion 59

Implications of the Findings 61

Recommendations 61

Limitations of the Study 62

Suggestions for further Study 62

Summary of the Study 63

REFERENCES 64

APPENDICES 68

Education is regarded as an instrument par-excellence and the means of achieving human capital and national development This underscores the aim for the introduction of universal basic education by Obasanjo’s administration The type of education introduced to us by the colonial government was too loop sided that it does not suit the need and demand of the Nigerian citizens (FRN, 2004) According to Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the introduction of the Universal Primary Education in September 1976 was the first major national initiative that was aimed at universal access to education Ebuoh (2004) noted that the hindrances to Universal Primary Education are mainly ineffective personnel and inadequate material resources

In addressing the same problem, Opara (2001) opined that UPE did not achieve its objectives and collapsed due to lack of trained manpower as well as high dropout rates, ethnic and religious influence as well as gender difference Although the scheme collapsed it helped to sensitize parents towards sending their children and wards to schools Its collapse according to Ukeje (1992) also led to a number of major re-organization in the educational system Thus,the down fall of Universal Primary Education leads to the introduction of Universal Basic Education

The Federal Government launched the Universal Basic Education on September 30th, 1999 for the purpose of achieving compulsory free and Basic Education FRN (2004) opined that it was also Nigeria’s response to the achievement of

Education for all (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) The Universal Basic Education programme, as a policy reform measure, is aimed at rectifying distortions in basic education delivery in the country as well as catering for basic education in the formal and non formal sectors

The Universal Basic Education according to Federal Ministry of Education (1999) encompasses primary, junior secondary and nomadic education as well as adult literacy is aimed at enabling all children in the Nigeria society to participate in the 9 years of schooling from primary one to Junior Secondary School three (JSS 111) In other words, Universal basic education is of low level basic and upper level basic Low level basic encompasses primary schools while upper basic encompasses junior secondary schools One of the main reasons for introducing the Universal Basic Education scheme is because Nigeria is a signatory to the 1990 geometry declaration of education for all (EFA) by the year 2000 and also member of the group nations committed to the total eradication of illiteracy

The Universal Basic Education is thus intended to be universal and compulsory Obanya (2000) opined that these terms imply that appropriate types of opportunities will be provided for the basic education of every Nigeria child of school going age up to JSS 3 This means that all Nigeria children shall be given opportunity to acquire basic education; hence Nigeria is one of the countries that signed the 2000 Dakar framework of action to ensure education for all (EFA) by the years 2015Fabunmi (2004) intimated that basic education programmes was conceived as a response to the level of awareness and general education of the populace The UBE scheme was introduced in order to take care of the large population of the disadvantaged groups, the nomadic and improve access to education generally Basic education according to Jaibeoba (2007) is the foundation for sustainable lifelong learning It provides reading, writing and numeracy skills (FRN)

Operationally, basic education the type of education, in quality and content, that is given in the first level of education This construct changes from country to country In Nigeria, basic education was equated with six years of primary schooling in the past Currently basic education is extended to include the three years of Junior Secondary School (FRN) Universal Basic Education (UBE) is conceived to embrace formal education up to age 15, as well as adult and non- formal education including education of the marginalized groups within the Nigerian society, (FRN, 2004) It is a policy reform measure of the Federal Government of Nigeria that is inline with the state objectives of the 1999:10 constitution which states in section 18 that Government shall eradicate illiteracy, to this end, government shall as and when practicable provide a free and compulsory universal primary education, free secondary education up to junior secondary three (JSS3) and free adult literacy programs

The main thrust of the Universal Basic Education programme is to lay the foundation for lifelong learning through the inculcation of appropriate learning, self awareness, and citizenship and life skills Since the introduction of Universal Basic Education scheme, its implementation has not been well managed, thus leading to some problems The implementation of Universal Basic Education scheme has not achieved desired objectives due to problems that beset its implementation such as poor training for teachers, poor supervision and monitoring of the scheme, funds, corruption, inadequate facilities and inaccurate statistical data Thus, it is observed that the successful implementation of the Universal Basic Education will require mobilization of the teacher

Great number of problems is perceived in the implementation of Universal Basic Education scheme in Enugu State Ebuoh (2004) stated that the teachers and the government are the two main participants in implementation of the Universal Basic Education Teachers problems according to Ebuoh includes lack of sufficient classroom for the Universal Basic Education children, inadequate facilities, inadequate qualified teachers, poor performance of students in public examinations, inadequate supply of teaching materials and problem of planning and execution and problems of funding of Universal Basic Education

The problems of unqualified teacher shows that many teachers do not possess the necessary competence or skills in developing valid assessment instmment for evaluating behaviour outcomes in the three domains of the children that is cognitive, affective and psycho-motor domain A lot of efforts according to Ebuoh have been made to achieve the goals as enunciated in the action plan

Thus, for a successful of UBE program implementation it is very important that some practical strategies be adoptedMany educational policies and strategies have attempted to address issues of access, equity, pretension, quality enhancement, absenteeism, dropout rates, inadequate learning, irregular attendance, under achievement, with little success, (FRN, 2004) The situation demands that better strategies should be employed to achieve aims and objectives of the government on the Universal Basic Education programme

The word strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal Hornby described strategy as a plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose As there is always an element of uncertainty about future, strategy is more about a set of options than a fixed plan Universal Basic Education has its own strategy that they will use in order to achieve its objectives In order words, proper strategies will enable Universal Basic Education to remove all the obstacles to life­long education for millions of our citizens who otherwise would be denied the opportunities of education

Strategies to be adopted for effective implementation of UBE program include financial strategies, supervisory strategies as well as training strategies for teachers In support to these strategies, Ezeocha (1985) opined that to operate any system or project without adequate fund is an uphill task which could lead to either non-accomplishment or frustration on the job Thus, fund is very important factor in operation and implementation of Universal Basic Education In other words, effective implementation of Universal Basic Education depends on the availability of fund Other strategies according to Ejike (2008) that can be effective in the implementation of UBE can be identified as follows: Provision of school libraries; Recruitment of qualified teachers; Provision of classroom facilities; and supervision and monitoring of the scheme by the UBE board This undoubtedly will ensure the effective implementation of UBE programme at the upper level of the basic education which is junior secondary three (JSS 3)

Implementation on the other hand is the realization of an application or execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard or policy Efforts by government to promote education and literacy in Nigeria have failed because there was no provision for adequate facilities in the implementation of Universal Basic Education Ebuoh opined that the successful implementation of Universal Basic education has serious implications because there is inadequacy in provision of funds If we want children, and all citizens to acquire literacy, we must provide reading materials, the abundant and pleasurable reading materials are found in libraries If we want learners to develop skills for life-long learning, we must give them opportunities to enquire, search, explore, practice, solve problems and all these are found in the libraries School libraries, funds and good training of teachers are basic to the successful implementation of Universal Basic Education in Junior Secondary Schools especially in Enugu state

Secondary education according to National Policy on Education (2004) is the education children receive after primary education and before the tertiary stage Junior secondary school is the most innovative contribution contained in the national policy to the development and modernization of Nigeria’s educational system in the area of secondary education The broad aims of Universal Basic Education in Junior Secondary Education according to FRN (2004: 18) are: “preparation for useful living within the society; preparation for higher education”

The Junior Secondary School shall be both pre-vocational and academic It shall be tuition free, universal and compulsory It shall teach basic subjects which will enable pupils to acquire further knowledge and skills The objectives of the Universal Basic education in Junior Secondary in Enugu State will be achieved if the necessary strategies are adopted for the effective UBE program implementation

To this end, there is need for effective implementation of Universal basic education at the junior secondary three level of education Thus, this study seeks to identity the strategies for the effective implementation of the Universal Basic Education Programme in junior secondary three level of education in Enugu state

Statement of the Problem

The importance of education at junior secondary school in the achievements of Nigeria’s educational objectives cannot be overemphasized Education at this level despite the efforts of the Nigerian leadership through the introduction of universal basic education seems dissatisfactory due to the poor implementation of the UBE programmers at the junior secondary school level of education The dissatisfaction in the implementation of UBE programmers in junior secondary school in Nsukka education zone is perceived in the following areas: poor teaching facilities and materials, inadequate funding, poor planning, monitoring and evaluation, lack of high productivity in junior secondary schools, poor teachers’ performance (untrained and inadequate teachers) and inaccurate statistical data collection

From all indications, these factors impede the proper and effective implementation of UBE programmers in Nsukka Education zone, thereby making the aims of the programme unattainable and unachievable Thus, the need to evolve strategies for the effective implementation of senior basic education in Nsukka education zone becomes of great paramount Therefore, the problem of this study put in a question form is: What strategies will ensure effective implementation of senior basic education in Nsukka education zone of Enugu state

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to investigate the strategies for effective implementation of the Universal Basic Education programmes in junior secondary school (JSS3) Specifically, the study:

1   ascertained the present state of UBE program in Nsukka education zone

2   identified the constraints to the effective implementation of UBE program

3   identified the personnel strategies that will enhance effectiveness in the implementation of UBE program

4   found out the planning strategies that could enhance effective implementation of UBE programme

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical significance The study was hinged on human relations theory This is because of its central idea that the human factor is of great relevance in the achievement of an organizational goal The important of teachers and principals in the implementation of UBE in junior secondary schools cannot be over looked This is because the effective implementation of UBE program in junior secondary schools demands direct involvement of all the academic staff of the junior secondary level of education

The findings of this study will also be beneficial to the following: School administrators, teachers, communities, state government and non-governmental agencies, students and researchersThe information provided by this study will enable school administrators adopt the best strategies for the implementation of educational programmes in Enugu State and in the nation as a whole

The findings of this study will enable teachers to realize their roles in the implementation of educational programme The findings of this study will also be of immense benefit to the state government who, it is hoped, will derive good knowledge on how to treat secondary school staffs’ (teachers and principals) who are the core implementers of UBE program for an effective result

The study will also reveal to communities and non-government agencies, which are stakeholders in the implementation of Universal Basic Education programmers on the objectives of Universal Basic Education and need to improve its implementation at the junior secondary school (JSS 3) level of education

The study will expose to teachers who are Universal Basic Education policy implementers in the classroom to imbibe new strategies they will use in the delivery of instruction The study will also be of great benefit to the students, it will enable them to discover the aim and relevance of Universal Basic Education programme of which they are central figure

The information provided by this study will also enable both the community and non-governmental agencies to know the prospects of UBE programmes This will encourage them to support financially to the needs of the school for effective production

Finally, the study will provide the base for other researchers who wish to carry out research in this field

Scope of the Study

The researcher limited the study to Junior Secondary School 111 in Nsukka Educational zone of Enugu state The zone has three local governments thus: Igbo- Etiti, Nsukka and Uzo-Uwani The study focused on the present state of UBE Implementation in Nsukka; the constraints to the effective implementation of UBE program; the study will addressed also address personnel strategies that could enhance effective implementation of UBE program and the planning strategies that could enhance effective implementation of UBE program

Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

1   What is the current state of UBE implementation in Nsukka Education zone?

2   What are the constraints to effective implementation of UBE in Nsukka Education zone?

3   What strategies could be adopted for personnels’ improvement in the implementation of UBE programme?

4   What are the planning strategies that could enhance effective implementation of UBE programme?

Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and were tested at 005 level of significance

HOi: There is no significant difference between the mean ratings of principals and teachers as regards the personnels’ strategies to be adopted for effective implementation of UBE programme

H02: There is no significant difference between the mean ratings of principals and teachers as regards the planning strategies for effective implementation of UBE programme