IMPACT OF POLITICS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In Nigeria, the role of politics in secondary school administration is always influenced by government intervention. This is because school administration and politics are inextricably linked. Politics is inextricably linked to education’s goals, control, production, process factors, financing, and accrediting systems. Politics has been adequately described by educators and social scientists such as Ogbonnaya (2009), Okeke (2007), and Uchendu (2007). (1995). They all believe that politics exists in Nigerian banks, markets, and military facilities, as well as in our economy’s commercial and industrial sectors and educational institutions. These professionals have defined politics in a variety of ways. It is a topic concerned with recruiting, securing, and preserving a community’s, state’s, or nation’s resources, according to Ogbonnaya (2009). The well-being of the country. According to Okeke (2007), it is a tool for using political methods to solve social, economic, political, and educational problems. Uchendu (1995:2) defines politics as the science and act of protecting and enhancing the temporal welfare of a society organized as a state. As a result, the business of politics involves both the formulation of fundamental ideas and their application to specific situations. Politics is concerned with the overall temporal well-being of the community. Politics, according to these definitions, is concerned with recruiting, securing, and maintaining the well-being of a community. According to the definitions, politics is a tool for addressing a country’s social, economic, scientific, technological, and educational challenges. All of this implies that politics is an unavoidable part of life. Regardless of culture. Politics encompasses all aspects of power, including decision-making, resource allocation, dispute resolution, social service provision, and educational provision and administration. As a result, no civilization can envision having a functioning government in the absence of politics (Agbajeola, 2009). It is the intervention of stakeholders in secondary school management in Nigeria’s southeast zone, including the government, community, school board members, school board of governors, and the parent teachers association. Secondary school administration and politics are inextricably linked. The majority of secondary schools in the south-east states were established in response to residents’ growing political awareness. As a result, Okeke (2007) asserted unequivocally that politics is important in secondary school decision-making, control, and governance. Furthermore, Politics in education, according to Okeke, can be viewed as a control, decision-making, implementation, administration, governance, and a technique for allocating resources to different ethnic groups in order to achieve their goals. Politics is emphasized because an educational system has political goals that must be met in order for the system’s existence and society’s political order to be justified (Ijaduola, 2004). In other words, the political system initiates excellent education. Politics has been shown to have an effect on educational administration and policy. Finance, personnel management, basic infrastructure provision, and school-community relations may all be affected by politics (Ogbonnaya, 2006). When government intervention benefits management and educational development, it is regarded positively; however, when Government interference is harmful to school management rules and regulations; it is viewed negatively because secondary education will not be achieved, and thus teaching and learning will be ineffective. Politics, in the context of this study, refers to a situation in which political considerations take precedence over due process, and the operation of a school is influenced by the whims of those in power rather than set norms (Odumade, 2007). In other words, it is a scenario in which due process is thwarted by strong groups of people exerting pressure. As a result of this undue influence, school administration deviates from traditional or formal administrative principles and rules, and secondary school administration is influenced by government intervention. The administration has It has a wide range of definitions and is described in a variety of ways. According to Peretomode (1999), management is a collection of activities associated with the processes of planning, organizing, regulating, directing, and staffing. All of this contributes to the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives. Management is also a method of directing, leading, and regulating the actions of a group of people in order to achieve their common goals and objectives. 2009 (Ezeocha) (Ezeocha). As a result, management in this context refers to how an organization uses both material and non-material resources to achieve specific goals. In this study, schools are structured places with rules and regulations governing what happens in order to achieve the intended educational goals. Of course, bureaucracy cannot be avoided. in government policy and practice. The main issue with the need for structure and hierarchy, however, is that in politics, leadership qualities take precedence over competence. According to Blasé (2002), no politician can possibly have the skills and experience required in all of the various areas that a leader must address (notably in roles such as governor and president). However, over the last three decades, governors and presidents’ direct involvement in education has grown significantly, with education frequently serving as a prominent plank in their campaigns. Maxcy (2003) claims that a trickle-down effect from presidents and governors to state superintendents of education and school board chairs and members has resulted in people with no or limited experience or expertise.

as educators or scholars gaining leadership positions responsible for forming and implementing education policy. To put it another way, the faces and voices now leading Nigeria’s education reform movement are appointments and self-proclaimed reformers who, while well-intentioned, lack significant educational competence or experience.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

In a variety of scenarios, politics may play a significant role in secondary school administration decisions. Since the government took over ownership and management of secondary schools, political challenges, social interests, and environmental impacts on secondary school administration have all come to the fore. Secondary education is intertwined with society; as a result, various segments of society attempt to intervene with secondary school administration to suit their social positions (Odumade, 2007). Residents of the South East Nigerians commonly believe that politics has an impact on financial distribution, personnel management, the availability of basic infrastructure/equipment, and school community relations. Political influences have an impact on school teaching and learning in both positive and negative ways. Secondary school administration appears to be fertile ground for politicking in today’s culture, with politicians influencing secondary school administration while principals, teachers, school board members, and boards of governors of each school blindly obey them (Blasé, 2002). Because of this subservient mindset, principals and teachers are unable to stand firm in their requests for higher pay, allowances, promotions, vehicle loans, and a more pleasant teaching environment. They go on strike, which usually results in nothing significant. Teachers, school boards, secondary school management boards, personnel, and principals all agree that politics has a negative impact on education. Secondary school administration is affected by factors such as teacher transfers, principal promotions, money allocation, facility distribution, school upgrades, and examination administration (Ezeocha, 2009). There is currently no empirical support for these claims. Some secondary schools in Nigeria’s south-east are recognized to be performing well, with adequate equipment and facilities, while others, regrettably, are severely underfunded. Is it possible to demonstrate that there is significant political intervention in secondary school operations? Despite the fact that a number of studies have been conducted on politics and its effects on educational policy and national growth, none has examined the perceived influence of politics and political parties on educational management as a benchmark for progress (Peretomode, 1999). As a result of this,

The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the perceived effects of politics on secondary school administration in Nigeria.

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVE

The primary goal of the study is to investigate the impact of politics on secondary school management in Nigeria. The study’s specific goals are as follows:

i. Calculate the percentage of school administrators who are politically active.

ii. Examine the impact of politics on the management of Nigerian public secondary schools.

iii. To see if there is a relationship between management personnel politics and student academic achievement.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

The following questions will help the researcher achieve the specified objectives.

i. What percentage of school administrators are politically active?

ii. What is it?

What are the effects of politics on the management of Nigerian public secondary schools?

Is there a relationship between management personnel politics and student academic achievement? iii.

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

This study looks at the impact of politics on secondary school management in Nigeria. Politics, as we all know, is pervasive, with at least one politician in almost every institution. Politics can be played by school administration as well as teachers.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study focuses on a few Nigerian local government areas. Researchers will benefit greatly from the findings of this study.

1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATION

Because of time constraints and a lack of funds, the research was limited toa few local government areas.

 

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