CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is the process for human resources development which takes place in an institution called school; it is influence by a number of factors including infrastructural facilities (Educational) basic infrastructural and human resource; without these necessary facilities. Psychologically, learning process is bound to be poor. For instance, Adedun (1980:23) says “the absence of these facilities cause institutional lapses militating against the teaching of courses in the country.

Historically, Uyo City Polytechnic started in 2003/2004 session with only two Departments, the Department of Business Management and Accountancy Department from the, then school of  Accountancy without adequate facilities. The school is suffering from inadequate lecture hall, absence of departmental libraries, and inadequate access to internet, absence of hostel accommodation for the students and sports-facilities. These have salient effect on the students achievement.

Importantly, students environment of learning comprises of the classroom, well equipped laboratories and conducive environment is typical by the social interaction. It is within these that the students conduct their academic pursuit which involves the developments of both cognitive and psychomoto for abilities. Apart from problems posed by the inability of student to be proficient in learning, other problems may be traceable to internal and external influences. This research work is conducted to investigate the salient effect of inadequate Educational infrastructure on students’ Academic Achievement, Uyo.

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Higher institutions are supposed to be centers for excellence and their campuses are grounds for developing men and women intellectually.

This suggests that for effective learning to take place, there must be adequate infrastructural facilities such as Educational Infrastructural and basic infrastructure, may be un-interrupted electricity supply to support student’s academic pursuits, academic infrastructures includes, adequate lecture halls, equipped with seats, libraries with adequate and modern books, laboratories internet service etc. Student with reading culture can make sure of these facilities to optimize their educational pursuits. The pertinent question that arise from this scenario are: To what extent has Uyo City Polytechnic provided these infrastructures for enhanced academic pursuits? What are the effects of inadequate supply of these infrastructures on students academic Achievement? To what extent has these inadequacies culture, apart from Educational Infrastructure, what other influences affect students academic Achievement? The Answer to these questions from the basis of this research.

1.3    OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objectives of this research are:

• To examine the effects of inadequate educational infrastructure on students’ academic achievement.
• To examine other factors that cause poor academic achievement of students in the higher institutions.
• To examine the effect of inadequate conducive leaning environment on student academic achievement.
• To ascertain the effort made by the management of Uyo City Polytechnic, toward boosting students academic achievement.
• To recommended measure for improved learning and teaching environment to enhanced students academic achievements.

1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result of this work will be of immense benefit to the management of schools, government and students.

To Government: The study will be vital to government during policy formulation and implementation as it will serve as input in this regard.

To Student: It will gingers the students on areas of strength and weakness on their performance in the school. Also the study will serve as reference material for those who will be carrying out research on related will also be of immense benefit to the management of the school as it will afford them the opportunity of assessing the extend to which they have provided enabling environment for enhanced academic pursuit.

1.5    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the effect of Educational Infrastructure and students’ academic achievement. The study stress it’s search light on the extent to which Educational Infrastructures like lecture halls/ classroom, library facilities, internet services, electricity supply, sporting facilities, financial resources etc,  has effected students academic achievement in Uyo City Polytechnic, Nduetong Oku, Uyo.

1.6    LIMITATION

The major impediment to this study comprises of time money, resources and quality of the data collected.

1.7    DEFINITION OF TERMS

Academic Achievement: This is an achievement of students as measured by the teacher/lecturer in their academic work.

Causes: This is defined as the resultant effect of a particular happening, the reason for the occurrence.

Infrastructure: Consists of the basic facilities such as transports, communication, power supplies and buildings, which enable organization to work.

Learning: Is the process of gaining knowledge through studying.

Management: Is the body of managing and management or management is the knowledge of planning, organizing, directing, controlling and motivating human resources and other resources to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Student: Is a person who studying at a university or college.

Tertiary Institution: This is an institution of higher learning that provides education for people age 16 and above. It includes universities, polytechnics, and college of education etc.