MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA: RELEVANCE AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Education is the highest source of empowerment an individual can acquire, as it teaches exhibition of desirable behaviour and makes people aware of their rights, privileges and obligations. The paper therefore, discussed relevance and challenges in the management of secondary education of national security and sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to identify relevance of effective management of secondary on national security and sustainable development. Finding the problems encountered by secondary school administrators in achieving this. The study was descriptive survey research in which the quantitative data were collected through 24 – item questionnaire titled relevance and challenges encountered in Effective Management of Secondary Education as an instrument for National Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria (ICEMSENSD). This was administered on 270 respondents made up of male and female principals. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation on a modified 4 point rating scale for research questions and t-test statistics for the two hypotheses. Findings of the study revealed among others that principals’ effective management of education at the secondary level serves as an instrument for national security and sustainable development in Nigeria. It was revealed that some challenges which include lack of qualified and dedicated teachers, unconducive environment and examination malpractice hinder effective administration of secondary education. Based on the above, some recommendations were made.