ABSTRACT
This study anchored on the impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Four research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised all the 15 deans and 74 HODs of public tertiary institutions in the area of the study. No sample was used due to the small size of the population. Questionnaire titled Impediments to Effective Utilization of Funds in Tertiary Institutions Questionnaire (IEUFTI) was used as instrument for data collection. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study among others showed that inadequate allocation of funds to education sector impedes to a great extent the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institution. However, the finding of the study further revealed that misappropriation of funds impedes the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions to a low extent. The study among others recommended that the various state and federal government should provide enough funds for education. Heads of tertiary institutions should not mismanage or embezzle funds entrusted into their care. Federal and state ministries of education, parastatals and their agencies should ensure that there are adequate information and accurate statistical data in their offices.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Education obtained at any level is a weapon against poverty and ignorance. It is a vehicle for the development of a nation. It is equally an instrument per excellence for effecting national development. In the words of Okeke (2007), education is now in forefront of the state. The public has great concern and interest in education. Education has been perceived by people and government as a potent means to ensure the welfare of the people.
According to Ocho (2005), the ability of a nation to grow and develop depends on the quality and emphasis in its educational system, not on the amount of natural wealth such as minerals, arable land, forestry and sea products available in the country. Consequently, there is considerable growth in the volume of educational activity to the point where education today is one of the largest industries in virtually all the countries. In Nigeria, it is the chief employer of highly skilled personnel
(Peretemode, 1995).
1
The education system in most nations today – both developing and developed is organized into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The tertiary level is otherwise known as higher education. Tertiary education relates to all forms of post- secondary education such as the Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Monotechnics and Professional schools (Abdu, 2003). According to Odo, Ede and Ezike (2000), it comprises College of education, Polytechnics, Universities and, indeed, all categories of educational institutions. The Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004) in her National Policy on Education, tertiary education is the education given after secondary education in universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, monotechnics, including those institutions offering correspondence courses.
The goals of tertiary education according to F.R.N., (2004)
shall be to:
“contribute to national development through high level relevant manpower training; develop and inculcate proper values for the survival of the individual and society; develop the intellectual capability of individuals to understand and appreciate their local and external environments; acquire both physical and intellectual skills which will enable individuals to be self-reliant and useful members of the society; promote and encourage scholarship and community service; forge and cement national unity; and promote national and international understanding and interaction” (p:24).
Tertiary institutions in Nigeria (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) produce middle and high level manpower needed for the overall growth and development of the country. Right from the establishment of the first institution of higher learning in Nigeria (Yaba College of Technology), the government has been playing the role of a proprietor and invariably provided funds for running the institution (Familoni,
2002).
Fund involves the money which is available to individuals, government or organizations for spending on various economic activities (Enyi, 2011). Education utilizes large amount of a country’s available resources and one of the resources which education utilizes a great deal is fund and this is a very important input on which the success of any school system depends. This view is especially true because fund provides the essential purchasing power with which education acquires its human and physical inputs (Coombs, 1998).
There is a growing concern about the funding of the Nigerian educational system, especially in tertiary institutions, which according to Okon (2004), is not only an investment in human capital, but also a pre-requisite as well as correlated to
economic development. Undoubtedly, the control and funding of tertiary institutions are of vital interest and concern to the people and government. This is because one who controls the operations and funding of the tertiary institutions in a state or nation is deemed to be directing the thinking and destiny of the people (Okeke, 2007).
However, since last few decades or so, Nigeria has witnessed increased decline in the funding of education, especially in tertiary institutions (Nwosu, 1997). In Nigerian tertiary institutions especially in Enugu State, there have been complaints about the ineffective utilization of funds. In most of the tertiary institutions, not a day passes without some media report on fund misappropriation and other issues reflecting the unsatisfactory state of schools by the Head of schools, the Dean of Faculties and the Head of Departments.
Babalola, Ayeni, Adedeji, Suleiman and Arikewuyo (2006) lamented on the falling standard of tertiary education, poor quality of teaching and learning in schools, the huge student- teacher ratio and large classes, the frustrations of the little and late paid staff, the agonies about the indifference of parents who are more interested in chasing contracts than in seeing to the
educational welfare of their children, absence of suitable libraries and laboratories equipment, and the existence of inexperienced and uncommitted staff. If there observation is true, then the situation is capable of leading tertiary education to a deep state of comatose, while the attainment of National Policy on Education goals could be at the lowest ebb.
To achieve qualitative education in tertiary institutions however does not come by chance. The success or failure, growth or decline of any level of education depends, to an appreciable extent, on effective utilization of funds in schools. If Nigeria is to actively participate in the globalized society, her educational system must be properly funded and effectively utilized (Ozochi,
2009). In educational system, effectively utilized fund means how successful the school administrator has make judicious use of educational financial resources to attain goals and objectives, and it is measured by the administrator’s flair in development and implementation of educational programmes of the school, procurement of staff, provision of facilities, keeping of school records including records of school fund as well as creating a conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in school.
It has been identified that many factors have been observed as impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions among which inadequate allocation of funds to education sector has been found to be consequential. Impediment means something that delays or stops the progress of something (Hornby, 2010). According to Mgbodile (2003), Federal and State Ministries of Education, their parastatals, commissions and boards usually receive inadequate allocation of funds to the education sector. Continuing, he asserts that most tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been inadequately funded and this has led to the emergence of several problems that adversely affect the system. These include non-maintenance of existing buildings and other infrastructural facilities, low remuneration of staff leading to strike actions and brain drain, inadequate instructional materials for lecturers and students, inability to stock the libraries with current books and lack of incentive to conduct research.
These problems need to be addressed and check-mated so as to ensure functional and virile tertiary institutions. Some other tertiary institutions do not have enough fund to procure science and laboratory equipment, computer equipment and
accessories, medical and engineering equipment. Holding of workshops, seminars and conferences is almost not feasible taken into cognizance inadequate amount allocated to the education sector.
When discussing impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions, inaccurate statistical data should be borne in mind as well. Inaccurate statistical data has become a preponderant issue in virtually all the levels of education in Nigeria, especially in tertiary institutions. Wrong information and wrong figures make it difficult to plan educational funds efficiently and effectively. According to Mgbodile (2003), some heads of schools are in the habit of supplying wrong data to the Ministry of Education. Many give wrong information on the number of staff and students in their schools in order to attract higher allocation. This dubious act often creates confusion in the entire system and even makes government to be suspicious and unwilling in funding higher institutions.
Misappropriation of funds in the education sector is another factor to consider among the impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions. This is because fund is an integral aspect of management and the efficiency with which an
organization can perform depends, to a large extent, on how its financial resources can be utilized. In the words of Ogbonnaya (2004), some vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities embezzle housing and car loan meant for academic and non-academic staff of their institutions. Some pay staff salaries with funds meant for the procurement of science and laboratory equipment. Above all, there are cases where some vice-chancellors use funds meant for the payment of pensions to retired staff for other needs. All these financial irregularities in education sector hamper effective fund utilization in tertiary institutions.
Consequently, this study aims at investigating the extent to which the aforementioned factors i.e., inadequate allocation of funds to the education sector; inaccurate statistical data; and misappropriation of fund impede efficient utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State with a view to making recommendation on the more effective ways of improving utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in the state.
Statement of the Problem
In Nigerian tertiary institutions, especially in Enugu State, there have been complaints about the ineffective utilization of the funds. In most of the tertiary institutions, not a day passes
without some media report on fund misappropriation and other issues reflecting the unsatisfactory state of schools by the Heads of schools, the Deans of Faculties and the Heads of Departments.
Consequently, there is a growing concern by all the stakeholders in education about the falling standard of tertiary education, poor quality of teaching and learning in such schools, the huge student-teacher ratio and large classes there, the frustrations of the little and late paid staff, absence of adequately equipped libraries and laboratories equipment, and the existence of inexperienced and uncommitted lecturers. All these vicissitudes are evidence of decay in the educational system. It has been identified that many factors contribute to the falling standard of tertiary education among which is ineffective utilization of funds has been found to be consequential to guarantee to poor quality in tertiary institutions.
Therefore, the problem of this study, posed as a question is: to what extent do some factors affect the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State?
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary
institutions in Enugu State. Specifically, the objectives of the study are to:
1. determine the extent to which inadequate allocation of fund to education sector impedes the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
2. find out the extent to which inaccurate statistical data hinders the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
3. ascertain the extent to which misappropriation of funds impedes the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
4. find out strategies for effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
Significance of the Study
This study has both theoretical and practical significance. The theoretical significance is hinged on the systems theory, as well as the human relations theory. The systems theory emphasizes that task achievement in a social system, irrespective of the nature of the task requires the combined effort of a number of people with varying functions and responsibilities,
whose positions establish the relationships between the superior and the subordinates. Human relations theory, which is also part of this work, emphasizes that workers will participate actively in the attainment of organizational objectives, if workers’ interest and welfare are recognized and considered. This theory will enlighten the heads of tertiary institutions to encourage, support and treat their staff humanely, thereby making staff to put in their best in carrying out their tasks which in turn improve the standard of education and make the national goals on tertiary education better achieved.
On the practical aspect, the findings of this study will be of immense benefit to stakeholders in education such as Heads of Tertiary Institutions, the Deans of Faculties and the Heads of Departments, Educational Planners and Policy Makers, and researchers. If the findings are implemented, it will serve as a catalyst for a effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions. Specifically, this study will be of benefit to heads of tertiary institutions. The findings of this work will be a wake-up call to them on their mandate, and serve as a mirror for self-evaluation to enable them know whether they are delivering in their core financial responsibilities or not.
Both the Deans of Faculties and the Heads of Departments will find the study useful as it will make them to understand and appreciate the role of interrelationship in their schools. Therefore, it will provide them with information on the need for maintaining cordial relationship and working co-operatively with the diverse constituencies associated with the school.
Equally, educational planners and policy makers such as Educational Consultants, and Educational Committees in legislative houses will benefit from the finding of this study. It will make them to have insight into the diverse impediments in the school system that have been hindering financial management and policy failures, and aid them in finding a lasting solution to them. Finally, the findings of this study are bound to stimulate more research interest in this area.
Scope of the Study
This study was carried out in tertiary institutions in Enugu State. Particularly, the study is delimited to all the public Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Monotechnics in Enugu State. The study concentrated on the impediments to effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State, and it paid particular attention on
inadequate allocation of funds to the education sector; extent inaccurate statistical data hinders utilization of funds; extent misappropriation of funds impedes utilization of funds; and strategies for effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
Research Questions
The following research questions guided this study:
1. To what extent does inadequate allocation of fund to education sector impede the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions?
2. To what extent does inaccurate statistical data hinder the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions?
3. To what extent does misappropriation of funds impede the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions?
4. What are the strategies for effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions?
Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and were tested at 0.05 level of significance.
Ho1: There is no significant difference between the mean ratings of the Deans of Faculties and the Head of Departments with
regard to the extent to which inadequate allocation of fund to the education sector impede the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institution.
Ho2: There is no significant difference between the mean ratings of the Deans of Faculties and the Head of Departments with regard to the extent to which inaccurate statistical data hinder the effective utilization of funds in tertiary institutions.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
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