Abstract
Education which was acclaimed as having the
potential for national transformation would not be offered without adequate
funding as efforts so far made in the area of funding were adjudged inadequate [DI4] . The population of the study
consisted of 50 respondents all of which were used for the study as no sample
was drawn [DI5] .[U6]
The instrument was a questionnaire titled “Effective Management of Alternative
Sources of Funding Questionnaire (EMASFQ). The questionnaire was validated by
experts and tested for reliability using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient.
The four sections of the instrument yielded 0.84, 0.82, 0.79 and 0.73 values
respectively. Data collected were analyzed using mean ratings. Conclusion was
drawn that though alternative sources of funding were in existence, effective [DS7]
for alleviating funding problems in colleges of education, ineffective
management could not allow this lofty objective to be achieved. The paper
recommended among others that only those with entrepreneurial knowledge should
be allowed to manage revenue yielding out fits in the colleges.
Introduction
There cannot be any realistic national transformation
in the absence of relevant educational practices. This is because education has
remained a veritable instrument for promotion and sustenance of national
transformation. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004) stated that education will
continue to be highly rated in the national development plans because education
is the most important instrument of change, as any fundamental change in the
intellectual and social outlook of any society has to be preceded by an
educational revolution.
Education is widely acclaimed as
having the potential for transmission of desirable values such as work ethics,
patriotism, honesty and fairness all of which are attributes of national
transformation. Scholars such as Oyekan (2000) and Okecha (2002) are in
consensus that education is one of the main instruments for developing the
capabilities of nations and for harnessing their vast resources for functional
self-reliance and survival of humanity. Education is therefore a vital tool for
growth, transformation and survival.
However, funding has remained a
critical factor in the provision of functional education that can lead to
national transformation. Ayeni and Babalola (2009) argued that funding was
central and germane to the success of all levels of education. Nigeria is aware
of the importance of funding education hence some efforts already made in the
allocation of fund to tertiary level of education such as Colleges of Education.
For instance, in 2007 Government allocated the sum of N 25.9 million naira to each of the [DS8] colleges
of education in the country and N321
million naira each in 2012 which is 72.11 percent increase compared to the
previous. Similarly, in 2012, N1billion
naira was allocated to one college of Education in each of the nation’s six
geo-political zones as special intervention fund (Abubakar, 2012).
In spite of these efforts, there has
been wide outcry against poor funding of education in the country especially
the tertiary level. Onuka in Ayeni, et al (2009) expressed the notion that
higher education sub-sector had suffered continuously from inadequate and poor
funding. Ezekwesiri (2006) added that the underfunding
of education especially at the tertiary level has become recurring phenomenon
in the polity, because almost everyone seemed to agree that funds allocation to
the education sector could not meet its needs taking into consideration the
monumental decadence in the education sector. Similarly, National Commission
for Colleges of Education (2006) lamented inadequate funding of colleges of
education arising from low government subventions and poor revenue generation
base.
Several research findings (Enyi,
2001, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1991 and Okoli, 2006) indicated a consensus
that the main cause of apparent collapse of tertiary education in Nigeria had
been inadequate funding. Reports of a number of groups, committees and
commissions such Fafunwa study Group on Funding of
Education of 1984, World Bank report of 1987 and
Longe Commission of 1990 on review of higher education in Nigeria virtually
arrived at the same verdict about the main cause of apparent decay in the
nations tertiary education sub-sector as poor funding. As a result of this, all
recommendations suggested diversification of sources of funding tertiary
education. This accounts for why colleges of education became involved in
several income generating activities such as extra- mural programmes, health
services, shopping centres and consultancy services.
Despite these income generating
activities, the overall economic picture of many colleges of education is still
deplorable. According to Nwabueze (1995), 95 percent of funds expended in the
colleges are still received from the government. The trend persisted and
aggravated the poor condition of the colleges as captured in the following
statements:
Colleges of
education in Nigeria presently and in all ramifications appear to have been
bedeviled with physical- facility related problems. The prevailing circumstance
in virtually all the colleges is over-crowded hostels, unconducive and
insufficient classroom facilities. Some college buildings are usually seen in
bad condition with either blown off roofs, broken walls, leaking roofs or both
suggesting over usage and lack of maintenance. …. Facilities are either lacking
or deteriorating and these have led to poor job satisfaction among workers and
consequently decline in academic achievement (Ezeuwa, 2009:231).
Alternative sources of funding if
effectively managed can serve as a veritable compliment of the funds provided
for the colleges by the government. Given adequate management, alternative
sources of funding could provide a viable supplementary source of government
efforts in funding higher education (Enyi, 2001).With effective management of
alternative sources of funding, it is believed that the colleges will not only
soar high in their academic programmes but, also align themselves on the path
of self-sustaining development for national transformation.
It is against this backdrop
therefore that, this paper is set to ascertain the
existence, investigate effectiveness, managerial problems and strategies for
effective management of alternative sources of funding public colleges of
education, with the aim of making them a dependable and viable source for
complimenting government efforts in funding tertiary education.
Research Questions
The
study was guided by the following research questions:
2.
What is the
effectiveness of these
sources[DI10] in alleviating funding problems[DI11] in colleges of education?
3.
What problems
militate against effective management of these sources[DI12] ?
4.
What strategies
could be adopted to enhance effective management of the sources?
Methodology
The descriptive survey research design was adopted for
the study. The population of the study consisted of 5 bursars, 5 registrars and
40 finance officers from 5 colleges of education namely; Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Federal College of Education, Obudu,
College of Education, Ankpa, Federal College of Education, Akoka and college of Education, Azare. All the registrars,
bursars and finance officers were used for the study as no sample was drawn. On
the whole, 50 key respondents were involved in the study.
The instrument for data collection [DI13] was a questionnaire titled “Effective Management
of Alternative Sources of Funding Questionnaire (EMASFQ)”. It is a 50 item
statement questionnaire consisting of four (4) sections designed to seek
information on:
(b)
Effectiveness of
these sources in alleviating funding problems in the colleges.
(c)
Problems
militating against effective management of these sources.
(d)
Strategies for
enhancing effective management of the sources.
[DI14] Two experts, one in finance and the
other in the area of measurement and evaluation validated the instrument. Their
comments and suggestions led to the reduction of the items from original 60 t0
50. Reliability of the instrument was established using Pearson’s Product
Moment Correlation Coefficient. Reliability coefficient values of 0.84, 0.82,
0.79 and 0.73 respectively were obtained from each of the four sections, A-D. Fifty
(50) copies of the questionnaire administered through four (4) research
assistants one from each of the colleges were returned and used for analysis.
Research questions were answered
using mean ratings. Item with mean score of 2.5 and above were regarded as
having positive/agree response while scores less than 2.5 were regarded as
having negative/disagree response.
Result
Table 1: Existence of Alternative Sources
of Funding in the Sampled Colleges
of Education
|
S/NO
|
Alternative Sources
|
X
|
Decision
|
|
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
|
Extra-mural
studies
Nursery/primary
school
Bookshop
Renting
of college facilities
Guest
house/catering services
Conference/seminar
activities
Consultancy
services
Printing
and publishing business
Banking
services
Agricultural
business (poultry, piggry, etc.)
Shopping/super
market
Laboratory
services
Hire
of sporting facilities
Health
services
Library
services (Books lending, etc)
|
2.9
2.58
3.04
2.76
2.62
3.22
2.62
1.7
1.82
3.3
3.1
2.52
2.56
3.28
2.64
|
positive
positive
positive
positive
positive
positive
positive
negative
negative
positive
positive
positive
positive
positive
positive
|
|
|
Grand total
Grand mean
|
40.66
2.71
|
|
Table 1 summaries level of existence of alternative sources
of funding education. That out of 15 alternative sources, 13 met 2.5 and above
decision score is indicative of not only their existence but popularity in the
surveyed colleges of education. In deed, only 2
sources (publishing and printing business and banking services) appeared
unpopular having recorded 1.72 and 1.82 respectively. Alternative sources of
funding education are therefore in existence in colleges of education.
Table 2: Effectiveness of alternative
sources of funding in alleviating
economic problems in Sampled Colleges of Education.
|
S/No
|
Alternative Sources
|
X
|
SD
|
|
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
|
Extra-mural
studies
Nursery/primary
school fees/levies
Bookshop
Renting
of college facilities
Guest
house/catering services
Conference/seminar
activities
Consultancy
services
Printing
and publishing business
Banking
services
Agricultural
business (poultry, pigry, etc.)
Shopping/super
market
Laboratory
services
Hire
of sporting facilities
Health
services
Library
services (Books lending, etc)
|
3.0
2.66
3.06
2.72
2.68
3.16
2.86
2.88
2.52
3.12
3.0
2.54
2.64
3.16
2.68
|
0.97
1.00
1.03
0.96
1.03
0.93
1.04
0.91
1.07
0.93
1.03
1.09
1.12
1.01
1.15
|
Results in table 2 indicate extent
of effectiveness of alternative sources. Given the decision score of 2.5 and
above all the 15 items listed were effective in alleviating funding problems in
the college of education. It is therefore believed that alternative sources of
funding education are effective in alleviating funding problems faced by the
institutions.
Table 3: Problems militating against
Effective management of
alternative sources
|
S/NO
|
Problem
|
X
|
SD
|
|
1.
|
Inadequate
entrepreneurial knowledge by staff involved
|
2.76
|
0.98
|
|
2.
|
Poor
performance on job
|
2.7
|
1.12
|
|
3.
|
Corruption
in public service
|
2.98
|
1.03
|
|
4.
|
Poor
remuneration of staff
|
2.54
|
1.09
|
|
5.
|
Inability
of management to initiate effective managerial strategies
|
2.58
|
1.16
|
|
6.
|
Poor attitude towards public enterprise
|
2.62
|
1.02
|
|
7.
|
Unreliable
public utilities (electricity, water supply, etc.)
|
2.78
|
1.01
|
|
8.
|
Stringent
college financial policies
|
2.64
|
1.10
|
|
9.
|
Low
public patronage
|
2.44
|
1.07
|
|
10
|
Power
tussle among management members
|
2.38
|
1.02
|
Going by a 2.5 mid-point in the
4-point rating scale, results in table 3 above show that all the items except 9
and 10 had mean ratings above the mid-point indicating that effective
management of existing alternative sources of funding is frustrated by 8 identified
problems with item 3 “corruption in public service” recording the highest of
2.98.
Table 4: strategies for enhancing
effective management of alternative
sources
|
S/No
|
Problem
|
X
|
SD
|
|
1.
|
Using
only knowledgeable entrepreneurial personnel to manage revenue yielding
ventures
|
2.6
|
1.03
|
|
2.
|
Encouraging
hard work and dedication to duty
|
3.0
|
1.01
|
|
3.
|
Introducing
stringent disciplinary measures against corrupt officials
|
2.5
|
1.03
|
|
4.
|
Sufficient
remuneration of revenue officers
|
2.86
|
0.96
|
|
5.
|
Initiating
reliable financial management policies
|
2.88
|
1.00
|
|
6.
|
Carrying
out orientation against negative attitude towards public enterprise
|
2.62
|
1.00
|
|
7.
|
Improving
on infrastructural facilities and public utilities
|
2.62
|
0.96
|
|
8.
|
Encouraging
members of the public to patronize college business outfits
|
2.72
|
1.06
|
|
9.
|
Using
appropriate machinery to ensure accountability
|
2.86
|
1.03
|
|
10.
|
Evolving
clear-cut job description amongst members of college management
|
2.52
|
0.99
|
Results in table 4 above indicate
that all the strategies listed were appropriate for enhancing effective
management of alternative sources of funding in colleges of education. All the
identified strategies recorded mean ratings of 2.5 and above. The highest mean rating
was recorded in the case of “encouraging hard work and dedication to duty”
followed by “initiating reliable financial policies”. Both recorded 3.0 and
2.88 respectively.
Summary of Major Findings
The
following major findings were made by the study.
1.
Alternative
sources of funding education are already available in colleges of education
2.
Available
sources can effectively alleviate the funding problems of the colleges
3.
Utilization
of the sources is negatively being affected by ineffective management.
4.
Proper
utilization of the sources in funding college programmes can be enhanced by
effective management
Discussion
The first finding of the study
reveals that alternative sources of funding tertiary education are available in
colleges of education in Nigeria. This is because out of 15 item sources
listed, respondents identified 13 of them as popular in the colleges.
Extramural studies, nursery/primary school levies/fees, proceeds from bookshop,
renting of college facilities, conference/seminar activities among others were
all in existence. Two sources namely; printing and publishing enterprise and
banking services were identified to also be in existence but presently not
popular sources of alternative funding. The finding agrees with Ogbonna (2000),
Maduewesi (2001) and Enyi (2001) which stated that management of tertiary
educational institutions could source out alternative means of funding their progremmes rather than depend completely on
government.
The second finding reveals that
these alternative sources can effectively alleviate economic crisis bedeviling
public colleges of education in Nigeria. All the 15 sources listed were
approved as having the capacity of alleviating funding problems in the colleges
of education. This view corroborates with Enyi (2001) that viewed alternative
sources of funding education as dependable in alleviating economic crisis in
Nigeria higher education.
However study findings such as Nwaka
(1998), Enyi (1999) and Ezeuwa (2009) have shown
that mere existence of these income-generating activities does not necessarily
guarantee their effective use in alleviating financial problems confronting our
tertiary education. The third finding of this study reveals that proper
utilization of these alternative sources is negatively being affected by poor
management. Corruption which is prevalent in public service enjoys popularity
as a major cause of ineffective management of existing alternative sources of
funding. This situation accounts for why Okeke (2009) warned that public
schools should carefully husband their sources of fund and eschew all forms of
corruption.
On the strategy for coping with the
problems of ineffective management of alternative sources of funding, the issue
of encouraging hard work and dedication to duty emerged as the dominant choice.
This is not surprising as records (Enyi, 2001; Enyi, 2001[DS15] ) identified the need for using dedicated
and talented finance workers in managing business outfits of public schools. Encouraging
hard work and dedication to duty is necessary as motivation has been noted to
be a good administrative measure for achieving high productivity among workers
within an organization.
Implications of the Study
It is certain that there cannot be effective
transformation of Nigeria without proper education. The citizens must be given
the opportunity to acquire the right type of education which can only be made
possible by adequate funding. Colleges of education are positioned to train
teachers who would train the rest of the people to acquire knowledge, skills
and attitude that will enhance national transformation. Since the efforts of
the government so far in funding the colleges are adjudged inadequate, evolving
alternative sources of funding becomes necessary. These alternative sources
would not just exist but effectively managed to alleviate the financial crisis
in the institutions.
Conclusion
Mere existence of alternative
sources of funding cannot guarantee their effectiveness in alleviating
financial crisis in colleges of education. They must be effectively managed for
them to yield financial resources that will be used for college programmes.
Certain problems such as corruption and lack of dedication to duty have been
identified to hamper effective management of the alternative sources. To cope
with the problems, strategies were identified to include using appropriate
machinery to ensure accountability among others.
Recommendations
Based
on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
·
Though
alternative sources of funding exist in colleges of education, college
administrators should further explore more sources for inclusion in the
existing ones to make them more varied.
·
College
management should conscientiously make existing alternative sources of funding
reliable means of funding education programmes.
·
College
management should carry out well planned orientation of finance officers and
all the workers of the college on the need for effective management of
alternative sources of funding.
·
Concerned staff of the colleges should be exposed
to modern business management strategies through regular workshops, seminars
and conferences.
·
College
administrators should insist on proper and effective management of alternative
sources of funding by formulating and ensuring implementation of relevant
policies.
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