CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

According to Aliyu (2014), competency is defined as the capability to apply or use a set of related knowledge skills and abilities required to successfully perform “criteria work functions” or tasks in a defined work setting.

Competencies often serve as the basis for skill standard that specify the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required for success in the work place as well as potential measurement criteria for assessing competency attainment.

The progress and future of the nation depends upon technical education in order to achieve its social and economic goals.

Odebunmi (1984), and Madu (2004) stated that the economic and political development process of any nation is related to the advancement of his or her science and technology and their application to needs. According to the national policy on education (2004), technical education is that aspect of education which leads to the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as basic scientific knowledge. It is a phase of education where emphasis is laid on preparing occupations of social values within and outside the school.

Emphasis is given to technical and vocational education in the national policy on education at all levels of education of the country.

It was planned to provide suitable educational experiences for students to help them indentify and develop interests, capacities depositions and vocational aptitudes needed for success in life.

This implies that the curriculum should include practical activities. Specifically, the policy stated the following as the objectives of technical education:

1.   To provide trained manpower in the applied science, technology and business, particularly at craftsmen, advanced craft and technical level.

2.   To provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for agricultural, commercial and economic development.

3.   To give training and impart the necessary skills to individuals who shall be self-reliant economically.

Wood work according to Lambert (1991), is derived from the word “carpent”, who was originally the one who made the “capent” or heavy covered carriage. The term was extended to include any craftsman who made heavy wood work, such as timber of houses and roofs. The major contribution of modern wood making by the nineteenth century and thereafter, the development of wood working machinery and the introduction of machine made furniture came into being.

Wood worker of the twentieth century developed modern design. Because of the importance to wood work in the life of man, it is made one of the courses of training in the schools and technical colleges as provided in national policy on education. Wood work trade in technical colleges is limited to machine, carpentry and joinery, furniture making and upholstery work.

Teaching can be defined as the process of passing knowledge, skills ideas, attitudes, beliefs and feelings to some one with the aim of bringing about changes is that persons. Okon et al (1981), stressed that teaching should provide the necessary amount and type of practice so that the changes in the teacher become part of his life. The qualities of a teacher determine the success of any teaching and learning process, especially in teaching technical subjects.

Knowledge of the subjects is still the primary qualification of the those who would teach others whether formally or informally. Caskey (1980), stated that history has shown a trend which require teachers to be trained and attend a certain degree of competency level. On the other hand the planning of a lesson, the presentation and the method of evaluation are the key determines the quality of the teachers, wood work technology teacher must passes the requisite qualification of both the manipulative skills and other theoretical knowledge for him to carry out his duties effectively. This is because woodwork by its nature require the establishment of uniformity of technical procedures, administrative procedures, working place arrangement, operation and motion sequences, materials, quality requirement and similar factors which may affect the performance of the work.

Abba (2004), observed that the challenge facing the management of technical institutions in Nigeria revolves around ways and means of providing competent and effective technical and vocational training that will meet the students need for employable skills, knowledge and attitudes.

Statement of the problem

Wood work technology is one of the trades offered in all technical colleges in Niger state, despite the importance most teachers teaching the subjects have Nigeria certificate (N.C.E) as the maximum qualification does not meeting the minimum requirement for teaching in science and technical schools in the state. The Bachelor of Education (Technology) according to the Planning, Research and Statistic Department of Science and Technical School Board of Niger State is the minimum requirement for teaching in such school. It has been observed that tools and equipment in the workshop are insufficient for the teachers to be effectively taught the course: the few ones available are mostly not in good working conditions.

Most of the power operated machines are broken down: the few functioning ones cannot be operated by mot of the teachers effectively. Consumable materials including workshops for practical exercises.

Ideally teaching wood work technology requires the services of highly qualified teachers, who are competent in both the theoretical and practical skills of the course. Wood workshop must be fully equipped with all necessary tools equipment and machineries. There should also be consistent supply of consumable materials especially wood to enable the teachers demonstrate and carry out practical work with the students so that teaching will be more effective since the course needs more of practical skills. Teachers should be motivated to attend courses that will expose them to the latest development in the field of teaching wood work technology to improve their standard of teaching. This research work therefore is designed to find out the competency needs of wood work technology teachers in technical colleges in Niger state.

Purpose of the study

The general purpose of this study is to determine the competency needs of wood work technology teachers for improving practical projects in technical colleges in Niger state. Specifically the study will determine the:

1.   Competency to improve practical projects in frame construction

2.   Competency needs to wood work technology teachers to improve practical projects in car-case construction

3.   Competency needs of wood work technology teachers to improve practical project in stool construction

4.   Competency needs of wood work technology teachers for effective use and maintenance of modern tools and equipment for improving practical projects in technical colleges.

Research question

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study:

1.   What are the competency needs of wood work technology teachers to improve practical projects in frame construction?

2.   What are the competency needs of wood work technology teachers to improve practical projects in carcase production?

3.   What are the competency needs of wood work technology teachers for effective use and maintenance of modern tools and equipment for improving practical projects in technical colleges?      

4.   What are the competency needs of wood work technology teachers to improve practical projects in stool construction?

Significance of the study

The findings of the study would benefits wood work technology teachers, wood work technology students, ministry of education, Niger state, curriculum planners, parent and guidance, wood work technology industries as well as people and government of Niger state.

The findings of the study will provide information for wood work technology teacher to improve their teaching to solve the current problem inherent in students poor performance in wood work technology and ways of improving wood work technology students performance at National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) examination in Niger state. On the other hand, the wood work technology students would benefit from the findings. They will be able to overcome some of the difficulties encountered in producing woodwork practical project. The students would as well acquire and develop the appropriate skill that would make them self-reliant, enterprising and improve their employability.

The Ministry of Education through Science and Technical Schools Board would be more committed as a result of this study to the financing of technical colleges regarding the training of wood work technology teachers to upgrade their skills. The ministry would through the knowledge of the study supply qualified and competent teachers, and also provide adequate facilities for the execution of practical projects.

The result of the study will also provide information to curriculum planner on aspects of curriculum in wood work practical project by updating the requirements of the wood work technology curriculum for practical projects.

Moreover, parents and guidance will benefit from the from the findings of the study because when their children and wads are empowered with improved practical skills, they may be employed or establish their own

enterprises and thereby take the responsibilities of some member of the family financially and otherwise.

In addition, the result of the study will be of immense benefit to industries by obtaining the skilled personnel that will facilitate the production of the industries in terms of woodwork practical project. This would increase the productivity and marketability of industries and their products.

Finally, people and government of Niger state will equally benefit from the findings of this study by obtaining the desired skilled and professionally qualified wood work technology teachers and graduates. This knowledge of the finds and their integration in curriculum would eventually reduce the rate of unemployment in the society at large by increasing the living standard of the people. An understanding of the findings would also assist government in policy making and implementation about wood work technology teachers and students in the state.

Scope of the study

This study is focused on the identification of skills competency needs of wood work technology teachers for improving practical projects in frame construction as well as the skills in the use of modern tools and equipment for conducting practical projects.

Skills in other areas will not be considered. The study will be conducted in Niger state to solicit the opinions of wood work technology teachers and supervisors of woodwork industries on the skills required by the teachers for improving practical projects in technical colleges in Niger state.

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