THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
The formation of the Academic staff Union of Universities (INDUSTRIAL) in 1978 has had both positive and negative effects on the academic systems of Nigerian universities. While some may view the activities of the union as a boon for Nigerians, others view it as a source of frustration for Nigerian students.
Numerous industrial actions, such as strikes, taken by the union to compel the government to meet the needs of public universities, lecturers, and students have resulted in the closure of schools, the disruption of academic calendars, and the frustration of both students and their parents. During the 1980s, the union was active in struggles against the military regime.
In 1988, the union organized a National Strike to obtain fair wages and autonomy for universities. As a result, the INDUSTRIAL was declared illegal on August 7, 1988, and all of its assets were seized. It was permitted to resume in 1990, but was again prohibited on August 23, 1992, following another strike.
On September 3, 1992, an agreement was reached that satisfied several of the union’s demands, including the right of workers to engage in collective bargaining. The INDUSTRIAL organized additional strikes in 1994 and 1996 to protest the dismissal of staff by the military regime of Sani Abacha.
Academic program disruptions act as a demotivating factor for students. It inhibits their desire to learn. It is therefore not surprising that, during strike actions, the majority of students are observed engaging in activities such as sexual immorality, cyber scams, pool betting, pointless gossip, film watching, and comic book reading for entertainment rather than reading their books. Long-term, they forget about academics and are unprepared for class activities, which negatively impacts their ability to learn.
Effective learning or improved academic performance, according to Odubela (2012), is achieved by successfully covering the course outline in a timely manner and prior to the examination. Rarely is this accomplished with strike action in place.
As a result of the above analysis, the researcher is of the opinion that academic program disruption caused by strike action breeds dissatisfaction, frustration, emotional and psychological trauma, unpreparedness on the part of the students, and lack of motivation, all of which contribute to a non-conducive environment for effective learning in Nigerian universities; a circumstance that hinders human development.
However, the effects of constant INDUSTRIAL strikes on the academic performance of Nigerian university students receive little consideration. This study aims to investigate the direct relationship between the series of INDUSTRIAL strikes and the students’ grade point average (GPA).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Universities are regarded globally as the citadel of knowledge, the source of intellectualism, and the most suitable breeding ground for the leaders of tomorrow. Nonetheless, the University system in Nigeria has experienced more official assaults and unprecedented industrial unrest than any other social institution over the past thirty years.
According to data compiled by the National Universities Commission (2002), INDUSTRIAL has engaged in over 23 strikes since 1992 to achieve its objectives. As is the case with all industrial conflicts, strikes have significant social repercussions.
Numerous individuals have argued that those in authority view universities as a burden and as institutions to be exploited and abandoned. Multiple industrial actions, the most recent of which began in 2013 and lasted for over six months, have been taken by INDUSTRIAL to alleviate the situation. Rarely does a full academic session pass without student and staff crises resulting in lost studies, delayed graduation, and economic waste for students, parents, and the nation as a whole.
However, the effects of constant INDUSTRIAL strikes on the academic performance of Nigerian university students receive little consideration. This study aims to investigate the direct relationship between the series of INDUSTRIAL strikes and the students’ grade point average (GPA).
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of INDUSTRIAL STRIKE on the academic performance of Nigerian undergraduates. Specific aims of the study include:
Determine the relationship between INDUSTRIAL strike activity and undergraduate academic performance.
Examine the impact of INDUSTRIAL strike actions on the academic performance of undergraduates.
Examine the role of the federal government in preventing strike actions from becoming persistent.
Examine the role of society in ensuring the smooth operation of the academic session.
To investigate the influence of INDUSTRIAL strike on the moral standing of students.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
Based on the objectives stated above, the study will address the following question:
Is there a connection between INDUSTRIAL strike activity and academic performance?
What impact does strike action have on the academic performance of students?
What role does the federal government play in ensuring that strike actions are not persistent?
How can society as a whole contribute to the smooth operation of the academic session?
What effect does a student strike have on their moral standing?
1.5 CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY
There is no correlation between INDUSTRIAL strikes and the academic performance of Nigerian undergraduates.
Hi: There is a strong correlation between INDUSTRIAL strike and the academic performance of Nigerian undergraduates.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study is important because it will inform the public about the effects of INDUSTRIAL strike actions on our educational system. The effect of the strike on our secondary schools and the academic performance of the students, as measured by the academic staffs and the secondary schools, in terms of advancing the nation’s socioeconomic and political development.
1.7 RADIUS OF STUDY
The study is limited to Ekiti State University undergraduates.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Academic Staff Union of Universities is a business.
Teaching is the academic process that produces a relative change in student behavior over time.
This is the method by which a teaching objective can be attained.
A student is a person who is enrolled in school or college.
Teachers: Those who instruct (profession)
A period or time during which no work is performed due to a dispute over pay or working conditions.
Academics: teaching and learning in colleges and schools of subjects that provide mental rather than manual skills.
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THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS