EFFECT OF CORRUPTION IN EDUCATION SECTOR IN NIGERIA INDUSTRY

1.1 Introduction

Corruption in education is the pervasion of the expected standard of behaviour by those in authority in the educational system for their own personal gain to the detriments of others and the system in its pursuit of quality manpower and national development. Corruption in the system has made it easy for some scholars to describe schools are no longer institutions of learning but instead as money exchange department to help students pass examination and gain admission into higher institutions. Corruption seen from this perspective therefore represents a departure from what the society considers as correct procedures in exchange of goods, services or money on the part of every body that makes up the society. This explains why corruption has been seen in various societies mostly in line with the culture or prescribed social life of the people. The implication of this is that while some societies speak of corruption mainly in terms of illegal acquisition of material things, others tend to stretch if further by bringing social and moral values under it (Metiboba, 2002).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Corruption is seen as a psychosocial beast that has been attacking the different sectors of the society and we have struggled to tame this psychosocial beast by looking at the behaviours of the present and former public officials (civil servants, military and police officials etc), contractors, business associates of public officials. Corruption is the abuse of public power for private gain. Bribery, misappropriation of public fund, nepotism and influencing the formulation of laws or regulations for private gain are common examples of corruption. To fight corruption the past government particular Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration between 2000 and 2003 introduced several measures such as the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Corruption has weakened the educational sector leading to low efficiency, wastage and misappropriation of resources, low quality service delivery. Corruption in education affects more people than corruption in other sectors, both rural and urban areas basically because schools are breeding grounds for future generations (EFCC, 2009). Therefore, it starts from the grass root and not from the top. When a child is exposed to all these corrupt practices at a tender age, he tends to grow with it and with time exhibits the character anywhere he finds himself in the future.

Corruption is one of the major causes of examinational malpractices in both public and private schools today. It occurs at all levels of both public and private schools in Nigeria both directly or indirectly. All over Nigeria, the perception of corruption especially in private schools is very high and uncontrollable. This is because, corruption undermines every aspect of the Educational System among which are, political development, economic development, social development and so on. It should be emphasized here that it is not just only in governance or educational system that corruption is found; it is equally noticeable in every human society today in Nigeria (Samson, 2012). It is on this note that Samson (2012) postulated that the issue of corruption leads to an extent whereby the common man will look at the trend and say, if the rich could do this, then my own child must survive too. So they will also emulate even if they don’t have the money. The total effect is what we are experiencing today and the ministry of education and the policymakers are not helping matters concerning the issue of the ongoing level of corruption in private schools.

Corrupt officers who misuse institutions’ money/funds go unpunished. Exam malpractice which is one of the major causes of falling standard of education has not been tackled by the government. Look at the TSS issue, frequent strikes and the present universities’ school fees increase. To gauge the seriousness of a society, especially its seriousness about attaining national development goals, we need to appraise the nation’s educational system. Can we harvest the critical/creative minds necessary to manage the democratic process if we do not invest in human capital development? Or compete in the globalized world of the twenty fifth century; if a nation does not face its education development seriously, then there is a lot that is wrong with such society. To revive the educational sector in order to help in building the individuals to be able to assist the process of developing the society, government should make sure our schools are equipped with functional libraries and laboratories, with classrooms having modern instructional technologies; computers connected to the internet, projectors audio-visual and video conferencing equipment etc. Teachers cannot perform miracles without the necessary teaching aids (tools). Primary and secondary schools, which are the foundation of education should be properly built, funded and adequately staffed.

It is against this backdrop that this practicum is designed to deliberate and showcase a tip of the ice-berg of how corruption has contributed to the fallen standard of education in Nigeria. The simulation exercise will display the corrupt practices prevalent in the Nigeria education sector. For now, we can boldly say that the state of education in Nigeria is regrettably poor and replete with enormous challenges, requiring the adoption of sincere and pragmatic approach in turning the situation around.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Corruption in Education Sector in Nigeria Industry.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that in Nigeria, the policies of successive governments have added little value to educational advancement, lack of good governance, bad policy implementation and the over importance placed on certificates has been ravaged by myriad of problems that keep worsening by the day.

Corruption is one of the major development challenges in Nigeria educational system. Corruption has also contributed immensely to the fallen standard of education in Nigeria, it has jeopardize the quality of education from primary to tertiary level, teachers, school administrators parents, students and all other stakeholders are involved in the ills of corruption.

The problem of education emerged from the neglect which the sector suffered from the 1980s leading to the gradual erosion of the system. Inadequacy of funding, lack of teaching tools and modern classrooms, poor numerations and the acute shortage of qualified teachers, have all contributed to the fall in the standard of education in Nigeria. One of the greatest threats to Education, social, economic, and political development of any nation is corruption. Therefore, the challenges of corruption remain a major devastating issue facing Nigeria since the colonial period, although, this phenomena has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our system.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Effect of Corruption in Education Sector in Nigeria Industry. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the roles of the parents in curbing the nefarious activities of corruption;
2. To determine the nature of the falling standard of education in Nigeria;
3. To examine the effect of corruption on Nigeria education system;
4. To determine the effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in Nigeria; and
5. To find out the role of government in curtailing the widespread of corruption in the educational system.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in Nigeria?
• What are the roles of the parents in curbing the nefarious activities of corruption?
• What is the nature of the falling standard of education in Nigeria?
• To what extent will corruption affect the Nigeria education system?
• What are the roles of government in curtailing the widespread of corruption in the educational system?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: The Educational Standard in Nigeria is low
• H1: The Educational Standard in Nigeria is high

Hypothesis Two

• H0: The level of corruption in Nigeria is low
• H1: The level of corruption in Nigeria is high

Hypothesis Three

• H0: The effect of corruption on the Educational standard in Nigeria is low
• H1: The effect of corruption on the Educational standard in Nigeria is high

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1.7 Significance of Study

The study shall proffer a detail appraisal of the nature of corruption in Nigeria. The study shall appraise the falling standard of Education in Nigeria and seek to determine the effect of corruption on the falling standard of Education in Nigeria. The study shall provide significant information for experts in the Educational sector.

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

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Corruption in Education Sector in Nigeria Industry.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. 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).

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1.10 Operational Definition of Terms

Corruption: Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries.

Education: Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research.

Academic Performance: This represents educational performance outcomes that indicate the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals that were the focus of activities in the instructional environments, especially in school, college or university.