FACTORS AFFECTING TEACHING OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CRAFT PRACTICE IN TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

FACTORS AFFECTING TEACHING OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CRAFT PRACTICE IN TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Technology education has been a powerful agent of change in the direction of our economic, social, political, and technological progress since its inception.

Nigeria has recognized that technological advancement can lead to self-sufficiency and has placed a high value on technology education (Eze 1996). Prior to the arrival of western education, one of the forms of education that existed in Nigeria was technical or vocational education. Technical education, according to Oshuala (1995), is an education geared at the upper secondary and lower tertiary levels to prepare middle-management professionals and at the university level to train engineers and technicians for higher management roles. Okorie (2001) defines technical education as “the phase of education that aims to assist students in acquiring the specialized mechanical skills.”

or the manipulative skills required in industrial arts or applied science.” According to the American Vocational Association’s committee on research and publications, vocational education is “education designed to develop the skills, abilities, understanding attitudes, work habits, and appreciations necessary for workers to enter and advance in useful and productive employment.” Farming, weaving, sculpting, and blacksmithing are just a few of the skills taught as part of informal education.

With the establishment of Government Technical College Enugu State, Nigeria pioneered structured technical and vocational education. It was also the beginning of mechanical engineering craft practice (Oshuala 1995). To be completely honest, the importance of mechanical engineering craft practice cannot be overstated, because competent technological education is a powerful motivator.

tool for national growth.

The national policy on education (1971) defines technical education as a component of education that results in the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as fundamental scientific knowledge. Engineering technology is critical because it directly or indirectly supports man’s survival and economic progress in order to be comfortable. Technology contributes significantly to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. However, there is no doubt that technology is a necessary component of human well-being, economic progress, and technological advancement.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

According to Okorie (2001), the purpose for which mechanical engineering craft was introduced or formed in our various government technical institutes, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, is rapidly dwindling. The investigator

has enrolled in this course to investigate the factors that work against the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in Akwa Ibom State’s Government Technical Schools.

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this research is to look into the factors that influence the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools. Other goals of this research include:

i. Determine whether school facilities influence mechanical engineering craft practice teaching in technical schools.

ii. Determine whether teacher qualifications influence mechanical engineering craft practice teaching in technical schools.

iii. Determine whether teachers’ teaching methods influence mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools.

iv. Determine whether student interest influences the teaching of

Mechanical engineering skills are taught in technical schools.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

This study will provide answers to the following questions:

i. Do school facilities have an impact on the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools?

ii. Do teacher qualifications influence mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools?

iii. Do teachers’ teaching methods influence mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools?

iv. Does student interest influence mechanical engineering craft practice teaching in technical schools?

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

The goal of this study is to educate the government, parents, and the general public about the importance of mechanical engineering craft practice in government technical schools. Furthermore, the findings of this study will highlight the need

for adequate funding for this craft practice, as it will improve students’ overall performance.

Finally, this study will be used as supplementary material for future research and reference.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research is to look into the factors that influence the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools. This study is specifically focused on determining whether school facilities affect the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools, determining whether teachers qualifications affect the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools, determining whether teachers teaching methods affect the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools, and determining whether students interest affects the teaching of mechanical engineering craft practice in technical schools.

Teachers

This study’s respondents will be students from selected technical schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS

As with any human endeavor, the researcher encountered minor challenges while conducting the study. Due to the scarcity of literature on the subject as a result of the nature of the discourse, the researcher incurred more financial expenses and spent more time sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Furthermore, the researcher conducted this investigation in addition to other academic activities. Furthermore, because only a few respondents were chosen to complete the research instrument, the sample size was limited, and thus the results cannot be generalized.

to other secondary schools located outside of the state. Despite the research constraints, all elements were minimized in order to provide the best results and make the research effective.

1.8 TERM DEFINITION

A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result is referred to as a factor.

Teaching: A teacher’s occupation, profession, or work.