Student-Teacher’s Assessment Of SIWES Programme In Agege Local Government Area Of Lagos State

Student-Teacher’s Assessment Of SIWES Programme In Agege Local Government Area Of Lagos State

Abstract

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a planned and supervised training intervention based on stated and specific learning and career objectives. It is geared towards developing the occupational competencies of the participants. It is a programme required to be undertaken by the students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria pursuing courses in “Specialized Engineering, Technical, Business, Applied Sciences and Applied Arts”. It is an accepted skill training programme initiated by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to bridge the perceived gap between theory and practice. Hence, it prepares students for work outside the four walls of their institutions with a view to developing a well-skilled and articulated knowledge, to benefit the students and create a self-reliant economy.

As good and innovative as the programme is, it is bedeviled with several problems which have hampered it from attaining its set objectives. It is against this backdrop that the research was carried out to know how Student-Teachers assess the programme based on its stated objectives.

The survey research method was used and the research instrument was a 22-item questionnaire containing closed – ended questions as well as open- ended questions structured to answer all the research questions in the study. The questions were properly fashioned to really ascertain the true opinions of students on the Student- Teachers- Assessment of SIWES programme. The population of study was the entire 300 level to 500 level faculty of education part time students of Lagos State University from which a sample of forty (40) students was drawn from Business Education and Economic Education student.

Data collected were manually coded; percentages and tables were used to analyze them. The study found out that SIWES is still a relevant practice in all field of studies because it enables students to demonstrate the rhetorical aspect of whatever the students have learnt under the classroom setting. It was also discovered that prompt payment of students’ allowance and regular supervision of students will ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme to meet the manpower development drive of the country.

The researcher recommended that SIWES students should be given orientation as to the importance of the Programme; assignment to be given during the training should be relevant to student’s field of study. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) should increase the token given to student –teachers, putting the economy situation into consideration and should try to pay students on monthly basis so as to motivate them to participate in the programme.

Table Of Contents

Chapter One

Introduction

• 1.1 Background to the study
• 1.2 Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
• 1.3 Statement of the Problem
• 1.4 Purpose of the Study
• 1.5 Research Questions
• 1.6 Significance of the Study
• 1.7 Scope of The Study
• 1.8 Limitations of The Study
• 1.9 Operational Definition Of The Key Terms

Chapter Two

Review of Related Literature

• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Organisation and Operation of SIWES
• 2.3 The Roles of the Various Stakeholders
• 1.4 Relationships amongst SIWES Stakeholders
• 1.5 Supervising Agencies (NUC, NBTE, NCCE)
• 1.6 Objective students’ industrial work experience scheme Eligible Courses for SIWES
• 1.7 Problems of SIWES (Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme)
• 1.8 Benefit of SIWES (Student Industrial Work- Experience Scheme) To Student-Teacher
• 1.9 Functions of I.T.F (Industrial Training Fund)

Chapter Three

Methodology

• 3. 1 Research Method
• 3.2 Population of Study
• 3.3 Sample of Study
• 3.4 Sampling Method
• 3.5 Sampling Procedures
• 3.6 Method of Data Collection
• 3.7 Research Instrument
• 3.8 Method Of Data Collection

Chapter Four

Data Presentation Analysis and Interpretation

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations Summary

• 5.1 Summary
• 5.2 Findings
• 5.3 Conclusions
• 5.4 Recommendations
• Bibliography
• Appendices

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

Training is a key factor in enhancing the efficiency and expertise of the workforce. The Students’ Industrial Work Experience (SIWES) program prepares students for labour markets. It has become an innovative phenomenon in human resources development and training in Nigeria. According to (ITF, 2004a), The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a planned and supervised training intervention based on stated and specific learning and career objectives. It is geared towards developing the occupational competencies of the participants. It is a programme required to be undertaken by the students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria pursuing courses in “Specialized Engineering, Technical, Business, Applied Sciences and Applied Arts”.

Mafe (2010) opined that: “SIWES is generic cutting across over 60 programmes in the Universities, over 40 programmes in the Polytechnics and about 10 programmes in the Colleges of Education. Thus, SIWES is not specific to any one course of study or discipline”. He added that the effectiveness of SIWES cannot be looked at in isolation with respect to a single discipline; it is better explored in a holistic manner since many of the attributes, positive outcomes and challenges associated with effective implementation of SIWES are common to all disciplines participating in the scheme for students and teachers respectively.

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was founded in 1973 by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). The aim of the scheme was to expose students to the industrial environment and enable them develop occupational competencies so that they can readily contribute their quota to the development of national economic and technological growth after graduation.

The participation in SIWES has become a necessary pre-condition for the award of Diploma and Degree Certificates in specific disciplines in most institutions of higher learning in the country, in accordance with the education policy of government.

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) can be rightly described as Nigeria’s practical training support for classroom lectures and tutorials. In other words, it’s an accepted skill training programme initiated by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). SIWES bridges the perceived gap between theory and practice in Accounting, Engineering, Technology, Science, Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Management and other professional educational programmes in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The main focus of the scheme is to involve employers in the educational process of preparing students for work outside the four walls of their institutions with a view to developing a well-skilled and articulated knowledge, to benefit the students and create a self-reliant economy.

1.2 Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

According to ITF training Policy, The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) was set up under Act No. 47 of 1971 (as amended up to date) to promote and to encourage the “acquisition of skills in industry and commerce with a view to generating a pool of indigenous trained manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the economy”. To finance the scheme, the Act provides for contributions on the part of employers and for subventions on the part of the Federal Government. The Federal Government made available the sum of N1,000,000.00 (£500,000) during the Plan Period 1970-74 as takeoff grant.

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the manpower development agency of the federal government was established to impart technical skills to those employed in the manufacturing sector and other sectors of the economy.

The Mission Statement of the ITF, the provision of decree 47 of 8th October, 1971 empowers the ITF to “promote and encourage the acquisition of skills in the industry and commerce with a view to generating a pool of indigenous trained manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the Nigerian economy”.

In pursuant to its statutory responsibility, the ITF has expanded its structures, developed training programmes, reviewed its strategies, operations and services in order to meet the expanding, and changing demands for skilled manpower in the economy. Beginning as a parastatal “B” in 1971, headed by a Director, the ITF became a parastatal “A” in 1981 with the Director-General” as the Chief Executive under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry.

The fund has a 13 Member Governing Council and operates 9 departments at the headquarters, 25 Area Offices, 2 Skills Training Centres, and a Centre for Industrial Training Excellence.

As part of its responsibilities, the ITF provides direct training, vocational and apprentice training, research and consultancy service, reimbursement of up to 60% levy paid by employers of labour registered with it, and administers the Students’ Industrial Work Experience (SIWES). It also provides human resource development information and training technology service to industry & commerce to enhance their manpower capacity and in-house training delivery effort.

The main thrust of ITF programmes and services is to stimulate human performance, improve productivity, and induce value-added production in industry and commerce. Through its SIWES, vocational and apprentice training programmes, the fund also builds capacity for graduates and youth self-employment, in the context of small scale industrialization, in the economy.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

SIWES is a mandatory training programme for students in tertiary institutions. It geared towards helping them to achieve industrial skills, yet it is faced with some problems which could impact negatively on what the programme is set to achieve. One of such problems is poor funding of the scheme which has posed a big challenge in terms of paying the students. According to the Minister of State, for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ioraer Ortom, the payment of Students Industrial Work- Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowance is a big problem facing the Federal Government (Daily Trust, Oct., 31, 2011).

Inadequate supervision by Industrial Training Fund is equally a major challenge which has hindered the scheme from performing optimally. Students on SIWES are not well-supervised; this has made some of them to devise all forms of ways in filling the log books. In fact, some students undergo the programme just to pass the course and never to get the needed industrial practical experience.

Rejection of SIWES students by some organizations has also frustrated the scheme as well as the students. In fact, it is not uncommon to see SIWES students roaming about looking for organizations that can absolved them in the first three weeks of the time allotted for the programme.

Though school managers perceive the problems and students grumble, yet no meaningful research has been conducted into the study. It is against this backdrop that this study is set to investigate problems that could jeopardize the programme.

1.4 Purpose of the Study

This study is to accomplish the following.

1. To find out from students how important they perceive SIWES program to be.
2. To find out ways in which the programme can be improved.
3. To find out problems that students encounter while on SIWES.
4. To proffer tangible solutions to the problems identified.

1.5 Research Questions

The data generated and analyzed in the course of the research were used to answer the following research questions

1. What major problems do students encounter while on SIWES programme?
2. Are Student –Teachers satisfied with the present state of the scheme?
3. Would Student-Teachers like SIWES programme to continue based on their experience?
4. In which areas would they want the programme improved?

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefits to SIWES students because it will enable them to see SIWES programme beyond taking the course to pass it, but as a way of gaining practical industrial experience before graduation. It will also be of importance to the school authority in that it will enable them put mechanism in place to ensure that students are encouraged and motivated for the programme. It will also give first-hand information to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) about problems students face during SIWES and how these problems can be tackled. Educational administrators and policy makers will find it useful in making educational policies in the future.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study covered SIWES Student-Teachers in Lagos State University (Agege annex) Local Government Area of Lagos State. Forty (40) SIWES students were randomly selected and the findings and generalizations were based on the data collected from them.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The choice of forty (40) SIWES Student-Teachers was based on the limited resources available as well as the need to work with a manageable sample size in other to ease the data collection and analysis processes. The researcher also encountered problems in getting the respondents to fill the questionnaires; some out rightly rejected filling the questionnaires. Even some of those who filled them were persuaded before doing so. It is also the researchers’ desire to explore other materials but the financial resources available were limited.

1.9 Operational Definition of the Key Terms

Industrial Attachment

It is a programme whereby students of this school are sent to industries and commercial houses to have practical knowledge for two (2) months at the end of each session.

Assessment

It is carefully considered opinion or judgment of a particular aspect to know how well a certain judgment is looked into.

Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)

It is a skill training programme designed to expose and prepare students for the industrial working position or situation they are likely to face after graduating from higher institutions of learning.

Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is an organization that attempts to bridge the perceived gap between theory and practice on Engineering, Technology, Science, Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Management and other professional educational programme in Nigeria tertiary institutions.

Student-Teachers

This is a student who is studying to be a teacher and who, as part of the training, observes classroom instructions or does so closely supervised. This is also a college student who is teaching under the supervision of a certified teacher in order to qualify for a degree in education.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary

The study examined Student –Teacher’s Assessment on SIWES programme. Its main objectives were to find out the problems encountered by students on SIWES, the satisfactory nature of the scheme and the various areas student-teachers who want the programme improved.

In view of the objectives, the researcher answered four research questions which are:

1. What major problems do students encountered while on SIWES programme?
2. Are student-teachers satisfied with the present state of the scheme?
3. Would student-teachers like SIWES programme to continue based on their experience?
4. In which areas would they want the programme improved?

The survey research method was adopted. The population for the study was the entire 300 level to 500 level Faculty of Education part time students of Lagos State University (Agege annex). From the population, forty (40) students were selected for the study

The simple random sampling method was used to select Business Education Department and Economics Education Department. Twenty students (20) each were randomly selected from 300 level and 400level students selected for the study to arrive at a study population of forty (40) students.

The questionnaire, containing closed-ended questions and open-ended questions was administered to collect data from the respondents. The researcher administered the questionnaires by hand to the respondents chosen randomly.

5.2 Findings

1. Student- Teachers strongly agreed that SIWES is still a relevant practice in all field of studies.
2. It found out that SIWES is a practical demonstration of the rhetorical aspect of whatever the students have learnt under the classroom setting.
3. The researcher also found out that SIWES programme has exposed student-teachers to a lot of things which are not taught in schools.
4. The study found out that regular supervision of SIWES student-teachers, giving of financial incentive to them and prompt payment of SIWES allowance will make for more effectiveness of the programme
5. It was found out that some organizations do not accept SIWES student-teachers. This has hampered the effectiveness of the programme.
6. SIWES has prepared student-teachers for the ‘real world’ after graduation thus, making them contribute positively to the educational development.
7. To ensure the effectiveness of the programme, the school authority should give orientation and motivate student-teachers before the SIWES programme commences.

5.3 Conclusion

From the analysis of the data collected, discussion and the findings, it can be concluded that:

Student-teachers SIWES programme should be continued because of the relevance to the over-all development of the educational sector. But the way is being handled can hamper the purpose why it was set up.

The way to ensure the effectiveness of the programme is to encourage the students by giving them incentive, promptly paying their allowance, and regular supervision of student-teachers.

The school authority should give orientation to student-teachers to see SIWES programme beyond passing the course but, to aim at giving them necessary experience.

5.4 Recommendations

1. The school authority should give orientation to student-teachers to see SIWES programme beyond passing the course but, to aim at giving them necessary work experience.
2. The assignment to be given during the training should be relevant to one’s field of study.
3. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) should increase the token given to student –teachers, putting the economy situation into consideration and should try to pay students on monthly basis so as to motivate them to participate in the programme.
4. The ITF should appeal to organizations to accept SIWES students
5. The ITF should motivate the students to undergo the training because there is a lot to gain from it.
6. The ITF should ensure that the supervisors visit the students at their places of attachment.
7. The supervisors should be paid for services; this will motivate them to pay visits to their students in their places of attachment.
8. ITF vehicles should be sent out to various or different routes to reduce the stress of students on transportation.
9. Students who hide under the umbrella of pretense during the industrial training programme should be checked out.

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