PLAN ESTRATÉGICO
MACRO ENTORNO (AMBIENTE EXTERNO)
4.2 LÍNEAS DE ACCIÓN
There has been preponderance of students related crisis in the Nigeria s higher education system, which is becoming worrisome to many
stakeholders. This development is so recurring that many people think that
crisis is an inevitable factor in higher education. Each of these elements is discussed briefly in this unit.
3.1.1 Student Admission
The increasing demand for education has forced educational institutions to adopt policies of selective admission based on various criteria, such as quota system, catchments areas, JAMB examination, Post UME etc. Some are prompted by the desire to maintain educational standards and others by
political motives.
There is assumption that the political and economic health of society is enhanced if its individual citizens are enlightened. In Nigeria, however, the resources are so meager that these ideals cannot be attained. In
consequence, this leads to competition for the limited places in the few educational institutions.
3.1.2 Participation in University Governance
Students play an important role in the overall functioning of the university.
The have a major influence in decisions that affects the school culture.
They are responsible for providing quality leadership opportunities that
transcend the college experience and are applicable in one s future career path.
One of the methods of assisting students to develop political awareness and
sensitivity is to give them the chance to participate in school governance.
Under effective guidance, they can learn to vote intelligently; respect and
tolerate others point of view; develop self restraint; and accept
responsibilities. The contribution of well-organized student participation in the maintenance of internal discipline can be immense.
The open-door policies of the university administration, coupled with a committee system approach will facilitate an enabling environment for progress. Students should be represented in some management committee e.g. disciplinary committee, appeal committee etc. It is proved to be
rewarding because students have helped the management in anticipating
problems that may arise from fellow students and other sources andproffering solution to the anticipated problems.
3.1.3 Management of Information
Information is essential for harmony, growth and understanding. In the event of scanty or no information, rumour mongering exists. Rumour has the tendency of breeding suspicion, doubts, fears and trepidation which, if
not properly checked, might lead into violence. It is in realization of the
importance of communication that some higher institutions and NOUN inparticular established a vibrant DMI Media and public affairs unit as well as information and communication technology unit to constantly manage
information.
Many institutions have established an Edu portals, where course are registered, students applied for registration, school fees paid, examination results accessed, course material accessed and downloaded, and facilitators communicate with students online. NOUN and many universities have invested heavily on ICT and Information Management System. This
approach has facilitated more dialogue rather than confrontation.
3.1.4 Maintenance of University Facilities and Equipment
One of the banes of higher education in Nigeria is the collapse of facilities
due to lack of maintenance. The attendant result is an uninviting
environment for teaching and learning, leading to falling standards andculminating in student crisis.
The existing buildings are in a state of decay due to lack of maintenance and repair. The present conditions of buildings could impact negatively on the quality of education offered. Such conditions have encouraged a brain
drain of teaching and administrative personnel leaving the education system
to other sectors of the economy or out of the country. Dilapidated schoolenvironment has contributed to the high drop of learners from school. The amount of funding needed for new facilities is high and the estimated cost
of the rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure is even higher. The need for the provision of adequate facilities to higher education is urgent
3.1.5 Examination Malpractice
Increase enrolment and crash in the value system have led to widespread cheating in examinations for the purpose of obtaining higher scores to improve the chances of passing semester examinations. Cheating takes place in all areas for which examinations are required. Laws have been made to discourage these behaviours, but enforcement has not been
effective in addressing this problem.
Another factor contributing to examination malpractice is the early channeling of students into specific areas of study based on examination
scores. The literature that raises questions about the benefits of channeling
students at an early stage need to taken into consideration. Other issues that need to be looked into in channeling processes are problems relating to factors such as of inequalities in the provision of education and unevenquality of education offered especially in situation where the future welfare of students may be determined.
3.1.6 Student Organizations
Student organization involves overseeing student clubs and organizations.
This area is responsible for providing organizations with leadership
opportunities through students council representative. The area of student organizations also works closely with the faculty advisors in order to provide them with the positive learning experience for the student.
The university management, right from the onset, believes in training the whole man. That is why co-curricular activities are as important as curricular activities. Through the campus life committee of the universities, clubs and association activities are promoted and regulated. Students are encouraged to initiate and create service-oriented clubs and associations
must be dully registered in the student affairs through their various
representatives. If all activities are submitted for scrutiny before they are run, such clubs and organizations could positively benefit the university and the social cohesion and cultural integration will be well fostered.
3.1.7 Prevention of Student s Violent Outbursts
One of the banes of effective university management in Nigeria in recent
times is the unbridled student violent reaction to national issues and internal
problems. The result of student militancy and violent unionism has been the constant closure of universities, removal of vice chancellors among other.
Secret cult is also one of the challenges facing tertiary institutions in Nigeria especially on how to handle the menace and members
aggressiveness. Never before has the potential for the destruction of lives and properties on campuses been great or escalated as fast and horrible as now. The issue of cultism among the students has opened a new and very dangerous dimension to the situation of things in our educational
institutions.
Where cultism exists, academic programmes and activities are disrupted, and university closed, leading to feeling of fear on campus, killings, and
deaths and campus disturbances.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCIS E 1
List and discuss the issue of student activism and administration in higher