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THE EFFECT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The formation of the Academic staff Union of Universities (INDUSTRIAL) in 1978 has brought about some changes in the academic systems of universities in Nigeria-both positive and negative. While a faction might see the activities of the union as a blessing, some see it as a curse to Nigerians and a channel to frustrate Nigerian students. Through numerous Industrial actions such as  strike actions undertaken by the union to compel the government to meet the needs of public universities, lecturers and students, schools have been forced to shut down, academic calendars affected, and students have been frustrated as well as their parents. The union was active in struggles against the military regime during the 1980s. In 1988 the union organized a National Strike to obtain fair wages and university autonomy. As a result, the INDUSTRIAL was proscribed on 7 August 1988 and all its property seized. It was allowed to resume in 1990, but after another strike was again banned on 23 August 1992. However, an agreement was reached on 3 September 1992 that met several of the union's demands including the right of workers to collective bargaining. The INDUSTRIAL organized further strikes in 1994 and 1996, protesting against the dismissal of staff by the Sani Abacha military regime.

Disruptions  in  academic  programs  serve  as  non-motivational  factor  to the  students.  It discourages them  from  learning.  It  is  not  surprising therefore  that  during  strike  actions,  most students  are  seen  involved  in  diverse  activities  such  as  sexual  immorality,  cyber  scam,  pool betting,  unnecessary  gossips,  watching  of  films  and  reading  comic materials  for  entertainment purposes  rather  than  reading  their  books. In the long run, they soon forget about academics and are no longer prepared for class activities which negatively affect their learning capability.

Odubela  (2012)  concluded  that  an  effective  learning  or  an  enhanced academic  performance  is achieved by successful covering of the course outline timely and before the examination. This is rarely achieved with strike action in place. From the above review therefore, the researcher is of  the view  that  disruption  in  academic  program  as  caused  by  strike  action breeds disappointment, frustration, emotional  and psychological trauma, unpreparedness on the part of the students and  lack of motivation, which sum up to non conducive environment for effective learning in Nigerian universities; a situation that dampens human development. However, little attention is given to the effects of INDUSTRIAL constant strikes on the academic performance of students in Nigerian universities. This study therefore intends to examine the series of INDUSTRIAL strikes and the direct effects it has on the students’ grade point average (GPA).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

University worldwide is regarded as the citadel of knowledge, the fountain of intellectualism, the most appropriate ground for the incubation of leaders of tomorrow. However, over the last thirty years in Nigeria, the University system has witnessed an unprecedented Industrial unrest and so many official assaults than other social institution. Statistics from the National Universities Commission (2012) reveal that since 1992, INDUSTRIAL has embarked  on  strikes  over  23  times  to  drive  home  its  demands.  As with all Industrial conflicts, strikes have significant wider social consequences.

Many have argued that those in authorities see universities as a burden and as institutions to be exploited and left desolate. To arrest the situation, INDUSTRIAL have went on Industrial actions several times with the recent one in 2013 lingering for more than 6 months. There  is  hardly  a  full academic session that student and staff crises will not result in loss of studies, delayed graduation for students and economic waste for students, parents and the country as a whole. However, little attention is given to the effects of INDUSTRIAL constant strikes on the academic performance of students in Nigerian universities. This study therefore intends to examine the series of INDUSTRIAL strikes and the direct effects it has on the students’ grade point average (GPA).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main of the study is to examine the effect of INDUSTRIAL Strike on academic performance of undergraduates in Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relationship between INDUSTRIAL strike action and the level of academic performance of undergraduates.

2. To examine the effect of INDUSTRIAL strike actions on undergraduates’ academic performance.

3. To examine the role of the federal government in ensuring non-insistent of strike actions.

4. To examine the role of the society in ensuring smooth running of academic session.

5. To examine the effect of INDUSTRIAL strike on moral status of students.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

Based on the above stated objectives the study shall answer this question;

1. Is there a relationship between INDUSTRIAL strike action and level of academic performance? 

2. What are some of the effect of strike action on students’ academic performance? 

3. What role does the federal government play in ensuring non-insistent strike action? 

4. How can the society at large contribute to the smooth flow of academic session? 

5. What effect does strike has on the moral status of students?  

1.5 HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

Ho: There is no significant relationship between INDUSTRIAL strike and academic performance of Undergraduates in Nigeria.

Hi: There is a significant relationship between INDUSTRIAL strike and academic performance of Undergraduates in Nigeria.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The importance of this study is to bring to the knowledge of the public; the effects of INDUSTRIAL strike actions on our educational system. The impact of strike on our secondary schools and the academic performance of the students by the academic staffs and the secondary schools in enhancing socio-economic and political development of the nation.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is limited to undergraduates of the Ekiti State University.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

INDUSTRIAL: Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Teaching: A process which bring about a relative change in behaviour over time in academic situation

Method: this is the procedure in which a goal can be achieved in teaching

Student: A person who is studying at a school or college

Teachers: A person who teaches (profession)

Strike: A time or period when work is not done because of disagreement over pay or working conditions

Academics: Teaching and studying in a college or schools subjects taught to provide skills for the mind rather than for the hand.

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