Evaluation of Laboratory Facilities Management Strategies for Enhancing Effective Teaching in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Daniel Etim John, Ntiedo Asuabanga Udom, Edidiong Silas Isonguyo, PhD
Abstract
This study examined laboratory facilities management strategies for enhancing effective teaching in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Guided by three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses, the study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 179 teachers from six Technical Colleges, from which 130 teachers (82 males and 48 females) were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a 30-item questionnaire, validated by three experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach alpha, yielding an overall reliability coefficient of 0.77. Responses were rated on a five-point scale and data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test at 0.05 significance level. The study found that strategies like safety audits, funding, clear guidelines, staff collaboration, equipment inspection and teacher training are moderately implemented, supporting teaching and learning. From the findings of the study, challenges include inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, unqualified personnel, outdated equipment, unsafe storage, unclear safety procedures and limited practical time. No significant gender differences were observed. The study recommends increased funding, recruitment of qualified staff, professional development, digital inventory and safety systems and sufficient practical time and spare parts to enhance laboratory operations and technical education quality.
Keywords
Laboratory Facilities
Management Strategies
Effective Teaching
Technical
References
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Uyo, 152-161.
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equipment in vocational education institutions. Journal of Engineering Education, 16
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technical colleges. International Journal of Educational Research, 7 (2), 56-70.
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Situations, Shortcomings, Solutions and Standards. Developmental Review, 33 (4), 357β
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Nigerian vocational education sector. African Journal of Technical Education, 20 (3),
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Etuk, R. U. & Nse, C. O. (2021). Challenges of Laboratory Facilities in Technical Colleges in
South-South Nigeria. International Journal of Vocational and Technical Education,
9(3), 112β120.
Eze, C. & Aluko, B. (2023). The impact of laboratory safety training on equipment longevity
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Eze, C. & Nwachukwu, I. (2023). Technical education infrastructure in Nigeria: An evaluation
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Eze, F. & Okonkwo, J. (2022). Obsolete laboratory equipment and its effect on skill acquisition
in technical colleges. Nigerian Journal of Technical Education, 10(3), 67-82.
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Secondary Schools. African Scholars Journal of Contemporary Education Research,
18(8), 191-214.
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technical schools. West African Journal of Educational Research, 17(3), 101β112.
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Ogunyemi, A. & Nwosu, T. (2022). Digital transformation in laboratory facilities management
for vocational training institutions. Journal of Technical and Engineering Education,
18(3), 72-88.
Ogunyemi, A. (2023). Best practices in laboratory resource allocation for technical education
sustainability. International Journal of Education Management, 25(1), 83-98.
Okafor, J. (2023). Policy lapses in laboratory equipment management in Nigerian technical
institutions. Journal of Vocational Education Policy, 8(2), 77β89.
Olawale, F. & Ajibade, K. (2023). Impact of financial constraints on technical education
laboratory maintenance in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Vocational Education, 22(2),
134-149.
Onuoha, M. & Adewumi, T. (2023). Policy versus practice: A study of laboratory management
in technical colleges. Nigerian Journal of Educational Policy Studies, 13(2), 120β135.
Smith, R. & Johnson, D. (2023). The role of technology in laboratory facilities management:
Implications for vocational education in developing economies. Educational
Management and Leadership, 15(4), 56-74.
Taber, K.S. (2017). The use of Cronbachβs Alpha when developing and reporting instrument
in science education. Journal of Research in Science Education, 4(8), 1273-1296.
doi:10.100/s11165-016-9602-2.
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument: How to test the
validation of a questionnaire/survey in research. International Journal of Academic
Research in Management, 5(3),28-36.
Uche, G. (2023). Underutilization of donated lab equipment in Nigerian schools: Causes and
solutions. Journal of Donor Support and Education Infrastructure, 5(1), 25β36.
Udo, I. & Ekong, M. (2023). Preventive maintenance practices in Nigerian technical colleges:
A fading culture? Nigerian Journal of Technology and Maintenance, 9(4), 188β200.
Udoh, E. A. & Uduak, I. M. (2020). Technical Education and Economic Development in Akwa
Ibom State. Journal of Educational Development and Practice, 14(1), 28β36.
laboratory management and instructional effectiveness. Journal of Vocational Studies,
19 (2), 77-93.
Adebayo, T. & Usman, L. (2023). Challenges of laboratory management in Nigerian technical
institutions: A case study of South-South Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Technical
Education, 24 (1), 101-117.
Adebayo, T. (2023). Challenges of technical education in Nigeria: A case for policy reform.
Journal of Technical Education, 12 (3), 45-58.
Adekunle, R. & Usoro, J. (2023). Enhancing technical education through laboratory resource
optimization in Nigeria. International Journal of Vocational and Technical Education,
11 (3), 55-72.
Adeyemi, A.O. & Salami, T.J. (2023). The effect of government policies on laboratory resource
management in technical colleges. Journal of Educational Policy and Administration,
25 (2), 88-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeapa.2023.02.006
Aina, E. (2023). Facility management in Technical Colleges: Best practices for sustainable skill
acquisition. Educational Research and Innovation, 14(4), 36-51.
Akpan, E., & Okorie, C. (2023). Barriers to professional development among laboratory staff
in technical colleges in Nigeria. African Journal of Science and Technical Education,
18(1), 90β102.
Akpan, J. U. & Okoro, A. F. (2019). Reforming Technical Education in Nigeria: Akwa Ibom
State in Perspective. Journal of Technical and Vocational Studies, 12(2), 45β57.
Akpan, N., Utuk, I.A. & Essien, E.O. (2019). Technical College administration in Akwa Ibom
State: A functional approach on the structure and leadership styles. Academic Journal of
Global Who is Who in Academia, 2(2),1-11.
Alegbemi, F.A (2010). Vocational technology education and work skill requirements in
contemporary Nigeria: the way forward in electrical technology education. Proceedings
of the Annual National Conference of Nigeria association of Teachers of Technology.
Uyo, 152-161.
Amenger, M. (2013). Laboratory management techniques needed for improving the teaching
of electrical technology in Technical Colleges in Benue State. Unpublished M.Ed.
Thesis. Department of Vocational Teacher Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Bello, M. & Adegbite, S. (2022). Preventive maintenance strategies for optimizing laboratory
equipment in vocational education institutions. Journal of Engineering Education, 16
(2), 89-104.
Benson, C. & Akpan, M. (2022). Teacher training and laboratory management in Nigerian
technical colleges. International Journal of Educational Research, 7 (2), 56-70.
Bornstein, M.H., Jager, J. & Putnick, D.L. (2013). Sampling in Developmental Science:
Situations, Shortcomings, Solutions and Standards. Developmental Review, 33 (4), 357β
Brown, P. & Etim, E. (2023). Sustainable approaches to laboratory facilities management in
Nigerian vocational education sector. African Journal of Technical Education, 20 (3),
44-60.
Chukwu, O. (2023). Adoption of smart systems in laboratory infrastructure: Lessons for
Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Education, 11(2), 134β145.
Cronbach, L.J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika
Journal, 16 (3),297-334. doi:10.1007/bf02310555.
Essien, E. A. & Udofia, I. E. (2018). Laboratory Management in Technical Colleges:
Implications for Skill Acquisition. Nigerian Journal of Educational Research and
Evaluation, 17 (1), 63β72.
Etuk, R. U. & Nse, C. O. (2021). Challenges of Laboratory Facilities in Technical Colleges in
South-South Nigeria. International Journal of Vocational and Technical Education,
9(3), 112β120.
Eze, C. & Aluko, B. (2023). The impact of laboratory safety training on equipment longevity
and student learning outcomes in technical education. Journal of Occupational Safety
and Learning, 17(2), 112-127.
Eze, C. & Nwachukwu, I. (2023). Technical education infrastructure in Nigeria: An evaluation
of laboratory maintenance practices. Educational Technology Research and
Development, 29(3), 99-115.
Eze, F. & Okonkwo, J. (2022). Obsolete laboratory equipment and its effect on skill acquisition
in technical colleges. Nigerian Journal of Technical Education, 10(3), 67-82.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN, 2013). National policy on education (6th ed). Nigerian
Educational Research and Development Council Publishers, Yaba, Lagos-Nigeria.
Garba, M.H. (2020). Assessment of School Facilities Maintenance in Nigeria for the
Effectiveness of Teaching Process. A Case Study of North Eastern Public Senior
Secondary Schools. African Scholars Journal of Contemporary Education Research,
18(8), 191-214.
Ike, F. (2023). Equipment misuse and its implications for practical learning outcomes in
technical schools. West African Journal of Educational Research, 17(3), 101β112.
Johnny, A.E., Effiong, A.I. & Sheik, I. (2020). Entrepreneurship development centre in
Nigerian tertiary institution and studentβs self-employment upon graduation. American
Journal of Social and Humanitarian Research, 1(4),1-13.
Nardi, P.M. (2018). Doing survey research: A guide to quantitative methods. 4th Edition,
Routledge, New York. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315172231.
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2006). Population and Demographic Statistics. Abuja:
NBS Publications.
National Population Commission (NPC, 2006). Population and Housing Census of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria: National and State Population and Housing Tables. Abuja: NPC.
Ogunleye, P. (2023). Student engagement in practical technical education: The role of
laboratory quality. International Journal of Educational Technology, 11(3), 78-94.
Ogunyemi, A. & Nwosu, T. (2022). Digital transformation in laboratory facilities management
for vocational training institutions. Journal of Technical and Engineering Education,
18(3), 72-88.
Ogunyemi, A. (2023). Best practices in laboratory resource allocation for technical education
sustainability. International Journal of Education Management, 25(1), 83-98.
Okafor, J. (2023). Policy lapses in laboratory equipment management in Nigerian technical
institutions. Journal of Vocational Education Policy, 8(2), 77β89.
Olawale, F. & Ajibade, K. (2023). Impact of financial constraints on technical education
laboratory maintenance in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Vocational Education, 22(2),
134-149.
Onuoha, M. & Adewumi, T. (2023). Policy versus practice: A study of laboratory management
in technical colleges. Nigerian Journal of Educational Policy Studies, 13(2), 120β135.
Smith, R. & Johnson, D. (2023). The role of technology in laboratory facilities management:
Implications for vocational education in developing economies. Educational
Management and Leadership, 15(4), 56-74.
Taber, K.S. (2017). The use of Cronbachβs Alpha when developing and reporting instrument
in science education. Journal of Research in Science Education, 4(8), 1273-1296.
doi:10.100/s11165-016-9602-2.
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument: How to test the
validation of a questionnaire/survey in research. International Journal of Academic
Research in Management, 5(3),28-36.
Uche, G. (2023). Underutilization of donated lab equipment in Nigerian schools: Causes and
solutions. Journal of Donor Support and Education Infrastructure, 5(1), 25β36.
Udo, I. & Ekong, M. (2023). Preventive maintenance practices in Nigerian technical colleges:
A fading culture? Nigerian Journal of Technology and Maintenance, 9(4), 188β200.
Udoh, E. A. & Uduak, I. M. (2020). Technical Education and Economic Development in Akwa
Ibom State. Journal of Educational Development and Practice, 14(1), 28β36.
