CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the
Study
In Nigeria and the world over,
education is a means of achieving a nation’s objectives. Education may be
viewed as involving the transmission of what is worthwhile from generation to
generation; it is the various ways in which a society
creates and utilises knowledge, including factual information and occupational
skills as well as cultural norms and values, to its members.
Education is also a life-long
process, which transforms the life of an individual from that of a helpless and
dependent creature to a self-reliant, rational and skilful person who can
contribute to the development of his society. It is the aggregate of all the
means by which human beings develop the necessary skills, attitudes and values
that are socially acceptable (Akinbote, 1988). It is a social institution that
should be organized to improve social life and other social institutions,
namely: politics, family, culture, economy and others. As the society is
dynamic, and is constantly changing and growing, the changes must be reflected
in the various social institutions.
Nigeria’s educational objectives
have been geared towards self-realization, individual and national efficiency,
effective citizenship, national consciousness, and national unity as well as
towards social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and technological
emancipation (FRN, 2004). Changes are most often effected through the
educational system of the nation involving various reform programmes and
curriculum development. Indeed, education is the vehicle for effecting any
social change. It is a polyvalent agent for the transmission of appropriate
values, norms, ideals and skills from generation to generation. It is also the
most powerful instrument for developing and empowering members of the society
to compete for survival (Azikiwe, 2007).Education is also
globally recognised as the bedrock of individual and national development
(Lawal, 2008).