PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is a inevitable instrument that can be used in enhancing national and economic development, such development can be seen in the positive roles education plays in the socio-cultural, political, economic and human aspects of nation building. Education is a prerequisite in participating in the highly competitive economy of the new Era. It helps to improve scientific and technological development which is the modern day recipe for ensuring national development. The term education is coined from the Greek word “educare” which means to “lead out”. Therefore, education can be defined as the total process of human learning by which knowledge is imparted, faculties trained and skills developed (Urevbu, 1991). Nigeria is not le out of the realization of this paramount role of education, thus the need for technology education in our educational system so as to drive the development advancement. As stated in the National Policy on Education (2004), “education shall be highly rated in the national development plans because it is the most intellectual and social outlook of any society that has to be preceded by educational revolution; efforts shall be made to relate education to overall community needs”. As crucial as education is to personal and national development, its impact can only be felt if the citizens acquire these skills and knowledge that would enable them to contribute to their immediate family and by extension to the society at large. For education to serve its purpose, teachers have a role to play in the implementation of the objectives and goals so as to improve the perception of students to technology in our tertiary institutions. No educational program can be effectively implemented and achieved without teachers and the positive attitude of students towards the acquisition of knowledge. Technology plays a vital role in the development of any nation and as such should be given adequate attention.

Students’ perception in technology in education in our tertiary institutions goes a long way in determining the level of acceptance and acquisition of technological knowledge. The perception of students towards technology education in our tertiary institutions especially the universities has contributed to the level of technological advancement of the country seeing that students as the leaders of tomorrow thus the need for the study.

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The poor acquisition and level of technology education in our Nigerian universities has been a cause for serious concern as it has significantly led to the poor performance of the educational sector. The perception of students towards education in Nigerian has also to a large extent affected the quality of graduates being churned out of our universities annually which by extension has negatively affected the development of the nation as human resources are a crucial part of the economic development of any society. Sound human resources serve as a springboard to education and economic growth.