Resource Quality And Service Delivery In Selected Universities In South East Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study examined resource quality and service delivery in four universities in South East Nigeria by ascertaining their accreditation status as well as the teacher-student ratios by various programmes taught in those institutions. It also examined the availability and adequacy of classroom communication materials; physical facilities as well as the number of lecturers in relation to teaching effectiveness. Furthermore, the study also ascertained how lecturers’ professional development, their remuneration and level of ICT compliance enhanced their research involvement and output. The target population for the study was eight (8) universities in South East established on and before year 2000. The descriptive survey research design was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 574 (20%) out of the 2,871 lecturers and 2,384 (20%) out of 11,920 students. Four universities were selected for the study, using stratified random sampling technique. Two types of structured instruments were used to collect data, namely the Lecturers’ Quality Evaluation Questionnaire (LQEQ) and the Students’ Quality Evaluation Questionnaire (SQEQ). These instruments were validated and pilot-tested to certify their reliability. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics. The research hypotheses were tested with inferential statistics of Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. Among the findings of the study were, that out of 27 programmes accredited by NUC in 2009/2010 academic session, eleven (40.7%) received full accreditation status; thirteen (48.1%) had interim accreditation while three (11.3%) did not get such approval; that the existing lecturer-student ratios in most of the academic programmes including staff strength were found not to follow Minimum Academic Standard (MAS) guidelines; available classroom communication materials and physical facilities were found not adequate for effective teaching of all courses; the teaching stock in the department was inadequate for the courses taught; regular attendance of lecturers at conferences, seminars and workshops and their level of ICT compliance enhanced research activity and output; lecturers’ remunerations/ incentives also enhanced research activities. It is recommended among others that government and university management should make efforts to ensure quality education in the universities.