EQUALITY OF ACCESS AND CATCHMENT AREA FACTOR IN UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS IN NIGERIA


EQUALITY OF ACCESS AND CATCHMENT AREA FACTOR IN UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

University education crowns the other levels of education in the production of intellectual property and a productive work force of a country required for the social, economic, and political development of a country; even in this age of global advancement. Before now, primary and secondary education has always been the foundation for education, and this has in a way led to the relegation of the university education. Irrespective of how important the primary and secondary education are in the intellectual development of a person, university education goes a long way in the national development of a nation; poverty alleviation and other forms of development in a developing country like Nigeria (Wolfensohn, 2000).

Going through different studies on the state of education in developing countries, some factors have been highlighted to hamper the growth and development of tertiary institution to include finance, academic qualification, available space, lack of infrastructure, untrained personnel, etc.

Providing equal education opportunity has always been a lip service of the government of Nigeria, rather than the actual implementation of this policy. The challenge higher education has in Nigeria is the non-implementation of the UNESCO (2000)’s goal of Education for All, and this has overtly led to a drop in higher education enrolment in Africa by less than 5% (Juman 2007).

Nigerian education right from inception has always been accompanied with imbalance, as a result of the difference in timing due to when it was introduced in different parts of the country. Steps have been taken at different times to tackle the issue of this imbalance in Nigeria’s educational system, but all have proved abortive; thereby affecting one of the goals of education as a unifying factor to rather broadening the gap created due to this imbalance.

In addition, the problem of one ethnic group dominating equally possesses a challenge in the admission process in higher education. At the long run, the nation seems far from achieving the goal of equal educational opportunity at the higher education.

Access to education is one of the policies of the government of Nigeria in the education sector. This is the reason why the government tries to support the education sector of the country, especially the higher education; though their best is not good enough.

In Nigeria, there is an increase in the number of universities across the country and this has led to the access and tried to reduce the problem of education imbalance in Nigeria. Sequel to this, Nigeria currently has 129 universities, 40 federal universities, 39 state universities and 50 private universities (NUC (2014) Database). From the above data, it means that more creation of universities in Nigeria is tailored towards correction of educational imbalance and national development Olayiwola, 2012, p. 33).

A strong means of improving access to education is the admission policy. The government uses the admission policy as a yard stick for measuring the type of students granted admission. It is the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that control the access to education in Nigeria, therefore it beholds on them to solve the problems associated with access to education. Thus, there is need to review the entry requirements, bearing in mind that the quality of input (students given admission) determines the output.

The issue of inequality in Nigerian university education is traced to 1948 with the introduction of University College, Ibadan (UCI), an affiliate of London University, in the south-western part of Nigeria. A comparative look at the establishment of universities in Nigeria right from that time (1948) still date shows that the south western part of Nigeria has more access to education compared to other geo-political zones of the country.

Catchment area refers to the geographical area of a university. Catchment area policy implies that residents of a particular area be given preference in terms of university admission to non-residents. In Nigeria, catchment area is based on geographical location and historical factor. Usually, catchment area is duly determined by the facilities available such as road network, the boundaries of administrative areas as well as political exigencies that are present in a country. However, what led to the problem of access to education in Nigeria is the issue of location difference among the different geopolitical zones in the country. This inequality in setting up universities led to the democratization of universities in Nigeria, in other to give everyone access to education; and that is why bodies like NUC and JAMB were inaugurated to check these processes.  NUC is saddled with the responsibility of providing a guide to the board and university body on how to go about admission processes (Ojerinde, 2011: p499).

In other to ensure quality education in Nigeria, and to use education as a powerful weapon for national development, there is need for these education bodies to look into ways of improving educationally backward states in the country. Though JAMB tries to carry all the states of the federation along, but there is still room for better improvement.

It is on this pedestal that this study aims at examining the equality of access and catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria.         

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Overtime, inequality has been noticed in universities across Nigeria, beginning with admission enrolment where most male students are given more admission slots than the females.

In addition to this is the issue of location. Obviously, there are more universities located in the south-western parts of Nigeria compared to other parts of the country.

However, other factors that hamper access to university education include inadequacy in the number of universities, high demand for university education, high cost of university education, poor government policy on access to higher education and lack of finance on access to higher education.

These are some of the problems this study seeks to proffer solutions to.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY                          

The major objective of this study is equality of access and catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria.

                Other specific objectives include:

a)   To examine how inequality of access and catchment area factor of university education in Nigeria can be resolved.

b)   To examine the relationship between catchment area factor and production of workforce for the Nigerian economy.

c)   To examine the challenges of equality of access of university education in Nigeria.

d)   To determine the extent NUC has curbed catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria.

e)   To examine the relationship between catchment area factor and quality of Nigerian education.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS                                   

        The following research questions are generated to guide this study:

a)   How can inequality of access and catchment area factor of university education in Nigeria be resolved?

b)   What is the relationship between catchment area factor and production of workforce for the Nigerian economy?

c)   What are the challenges of equality of access of university education in Nigeria?

d)   To what extent has NUC curbed catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria?

e)   What is the relationship between catchment area factor and quality of Nigerian education?

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS     

H0:   There is no relationship between catchment area factor and production of workforce for the Nigerian economy.

H1:   There is a relationship between catchment area factor and production of workforce for the Nigerian economy.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims serves as a reminder to education administrators, stakeholders, educational bodies like NUC and JAMB, policy makers and the government on the importance of tackling problems associated with equality of access and catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study is restricted to equality of access and catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria.

Limitations of study

1.        Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview). 2.        Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

EQUALITY OF ACCESS: This is the concept that all persons should have equal rights of access to anything they desire or everyone should be able to use and access everything in the same way.CATCHMENT AREA: This is the area from which a city, service, or institution attracts a population that uses its services. For example, a school catchment area is a geographic area from which students are eligible to attend a local school.Governments and community service organizations often define catchment areas for planning purposes and public safety such as ensuring universal access to services like fire departments, police departments, ambulance bases, and hospitals.                                                                                                                                                     NUC (NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION): It was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the Cabinet Office. However, in 1974, it became a statutory body, and the first Executive Secretary, in the person of Prof. Jibril Aminu was then appointed. Its functions include granting approval for all academic programmes run in Nigerian universities, granting approval for the establishment of all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes in Nigerian universities, ensure quality assurance of all academic programmes offered in Nigerian universities, and channel for all external support to the Nigerian universities. JAMB (JOINT ADMISSIONS AND MATRICULATION BOARD): is a Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level institutions. The board conducts entrance examinations for prospective undergraduates into Nigerian universities. The board is also charged with the responsibility to administer similar examinations for applicants to Nigerian public and private monotechnics, polytechnics, and colleges of educations.UNESCO (UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION): This is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris. Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter. It is the heir of the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.  REFERENCESWolfensohn, J. D. 2000. War on AIDS: free from poverty, free from AIDS by James D. Wolfensohn, President - the impact on AIDS on peace and security in Africa. Presidential speech. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. Juman, R. A. (2007). Wetlands of Trinidad and Tobago. Book published by the Institute of Marine Affairs, Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas National Universities Commission (n.d): List of Nigerian Universities and the Year founded: Retrieved June 10,2008 from  Olayiwola, S. (2012). Alternative perspectives to funding public universities in Nigeria. In C. Ghenai (Ed.), Sustainable Development/Book 2 (pp. 27 – 38). Intech, Open Access Publisher, DOI: 10.5772/ 29056. Ojerinde, A. (2011). Admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria - The role of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). In A. Ojerinde, Public examinations in Nigeria(pp. 495 – 515). India, Melrose Books and Publishing Ltd.

.


TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.COM

Researchwap.com is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.com guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.com is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.com" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.