An Assessment of Vacation Practices among Academic Staff of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia: Implications for Service Delivery and Institutional Performance

Bridget Annime Yakubu

doi:10.56201/jhmtr.vol.6no3.2025.pg35.46

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An Assessment of Vacation Practices among Academic Staff of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia: Implications for Service Delivery and Institutional Performance

Bridget Annime Yakubu

Abstract

The study evaluated vacation and leave habits among academic staff of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, Nigeria, with a focus on their effects on service delivery and institutional performance. The research was inspired by the growing workload, limited relaxation chances, and inadequate policy enforcement that characterize many Nigerian polytechnics. A descriptive survey strategy was developed, using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methodologies. Data were acquired from a sample of 215 academic staff, selected by stratified random sampling across five academic schools. A structured questionnaire validated through expert review (Cronbach’s ? = 0.87) was administered, and the resulting data were analyzed using SPSS v28, applying descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results demonstrate that although vacation policies exist, their execution remains severely weak: only 26% of staff utilized leave within five years, and 95% rated workload and administrative issues as primary hurdles. Correlation analysis found considerable positive associations between vacation utilization and teaching performance (r = 0.67, p < 0.05), timeliness (r = 0.59, p < 0.05), and dedication (r = 0.70, p < 0.05). Regression research demonstrated that managerial support and policy clarity strongly predicted institutional performance (R² = 0.546, p < 0.001). Thematic findings identified five primary challenges to successful leave utilization—workload pressure, shortage of substitute personnel, bureaucratic delays, inadequate policy communication, and organizational culture. The study suggests that inefficient vacation management relates to staff weariness, low morale, and diminished service delivery. Conversely, structured and transparent leave systems boost motivation, teaching quality, and organizational productivity. The report advocates institutional improvements focused on a

Keywords

academic leaveinstitutional performancepolytechnic educationservice delivery

References

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An Assessment of Vacation Practices among Academic Staff of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia: Implications for Service Delivery and Institutional Performance

Abstract

Keywords

References

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