AN ASSESSMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FOR TRAINING SECRETARIES IN KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC

AN ASSESSMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FOR TRAINING SECRETARIES IN KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC

ABSTRACT

        This research work “An Assessment of Equipment and Facilities for training Secretaries was carried out in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. In carrying out this study, certain research questions were formulated. In order to derive the appropriate information out of the research questions, questionnaire were drafted and distributed to both teachers and students of the polytechnic. “yes” or “No” methods of responses were used in answering the questionnaire. Data Collected through the questionnaire were analyzed using mean of scores and simple percentage. It was discovered from the study that the equipment and facilities used in training secretaries in polytechnics are not adequate. From the findings of this study, it was recommended that typewriters should not only be made available but adequate secretaries, modern and automated equipment be provided and well utilized by the students in this modern era, model offices should be available to enable students  play some role or act as if they are in the real working environment etc.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

          Secretarial profession is skilled in nature and requires constant practice and drilling. The teaching of secretarial course like shorthand and typewriting cannot just be learnt by the students sitting and folding their arms and nodding their heads. For instance, course like typewriter or learn and develop the necessary skills of development in shorthand without some form of electronic aids like the tape-recorder and pre-recorded cassettes. Nwaokola, (1991) argued that “shorthand in by nature, cannot be successfully taught through lecturing, and therefore, a verities of activities should be sandwiched into the theory presentation process to achieve desired results and keep the interest of the students alive? Such activities require and extensive use of equipments and facilities.

          Equipment refers to business appliances like office hardware, electronics and machines. But for the purpose of this study; the term “Equipment” shall be limited to office type that relates to the effective training of secretaries such as the typewriter, computer, dictating machine, stencil duplicating machine, telephone, filling cabinet etc.

          Denyar (1980) stressed that for any form of instruction or training to be meaningful, the right type of equipment must be available with the right operator of such. The teachers qualification and background can only be completed when the right and complete equipment and facilities are available and effectively utilized.

          Whenever  these equipment and facilities are optionally utilized they generate greater  students interest in the learning system and ideas. Hence, Ulinfin (1987) point to fact that learning would be less meaningful without the use of teaching facilities and equipments and that students should grape in darkness for long before they can get a gasp of what the teacher says.

          Similarly, Oyedeji (191) and Egwuelu (1992) believe that teaching facilities, apart from leading themselves to practical learning, are equally essential for actual occupation jobs for self-reliance. Oyedele (1992) holds the view that items of equipment and facilities needed for effective instruction in business education should be a replical of what is obtainable and used in business offices, and which the business students must appreciate their importance such items of equipment and facilities are expected to be modern so that students and teachers would benefits from their usage.

          To ensure the best result in the training of secretaries of Kogi  State polytechnic, adequate equipment and facilities are expected to be provided in the various departments. Where these equipment and facilities are not provided or the inadequate, effective training may not take place.

1.2     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

          Today in Nigeria and all over the world, there is high demand for skilled workers. In various establishments and organizations and it is expected that trained secretaries from Kogi State Polytechnic should be able to meet up with these expectation and demand.

          There are many secretarial graduates today, who fine it difficult to secure job after graduation simply because they lack skills to operate modern equipment seen in today’s offices. This is due to the fact that most of the polytechnics lack this modern equipment and facilities. The resultant effect of this is that these students are ill-trained.

          Against this background, the researchers under took this study to determine the availability of otherwise of the equipment and facilities used in training of secretaries in Kogi State.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

          The main purpose of this study is to assess the availability of equipment and facilities used for training secretaries in Kogi State Polytechnic.

Specifically, the study tries to:-

1.           To determine types of equipment and facilities available in the polytechnic.

2.           To determine whether the equipment and facilities available in this polytechnic.

3.           To determine whether the equipment and facilities are adequate for the training of secretaries.

4.           To determine the extent to which equipment and facilities available in this polytechnic meet the NBTE specification.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE  OF THE STUDY       

          Upon completion of this study it is expected that the study will be of immense benefits to secretarial students, the teachers and management of the polytechnic in the following ways.

          The students would be well trained and could display their skills in any work situation they find themselves.

          For the teachers, they will have job satisfaction due to adequate equipment and facilities available for training secretaries.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

          In carrying out this studies the following research questions were formulated to guide the researchers.

1.           What are the manual equipment and facilities available in this polytechnic?

2.           What are the automated equipment and facilities available in the polytechnic?

3.           Are the equipment and facilities used in training secretaries adequate?

4.           To what extent do the equipment and facilities regard to NBTE specification?

1.6     LIMITATION OF STUDY

          This study has been limited to certain extent because of some factors beyond the researcher’s control. In any study like this, one is bond to come across some circumstances. Lack of fund and time constraints are some of the problem encountered by the researchers in carrying out this study

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

          This study centers on an in depth objective assessment of equipment and facilities used in the training of secretaries in Kogi State Polytechnic.