An Evaluation of the Perception of Adults on the Rural Development Programmes in Edo State, Nigeria.
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Date
2012
Authors
Francis, E.O.O
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Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the perception of adults as major stakeholders on the implementation of the rural development programmes in Edo State, Nigeria. Primarily, the study sought to identify the types of rural development programmes, determine the usefulness of the programmes, the level of performance in terms of the extent of attainment of objectives, level of durability, impact of the programmes provided, the strategies employed for their execution and the extent of involvement of the adults in the implementation of the programmes.
In order to attain the purposes intended, eight (8) research questions were raised and eight (8) research hypotheses were formulated and tested. All the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level.. The descriptive design was employed to carry out the study. Questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection for the study. This was complemented with a structured interview schedule. Data were collected from 522 adult respondents in the communities involved in the implementation of the programmes selected randomly using a table of random numbers. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics comprising of frequency distribution, mean score analysis and simple percentages for all the research questions examined. In the case of the research hypotheses, inferential statistics involving t-test of significant difference between two independent sample means and, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were utilized. The study revealed that:
- The rural development programmes provided in Edo State across the three senatorial districts included rural electrification, town hall, road construction, rehabilitation, bole holes and health centres.
- The programmes provided were found to be useful to the people in the communities.
- In addition, the programmes implementation was perceived to be fairly satisfactory.
- Furthermore, the members of the communities were found to be largely involved in the final implementation of the programme.
- The programmes were also found to have impacted positively on the living conditions of the members of the communities.
- Finally, the implementation of the progrrammes was said to have achieved some of its purposes.
Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended, inter alia, that in order for the implementation of the programmes to be totally satisfactory, the people should be involved in all the stages of execution beginning from need assessment stage to the assessment stage. This will help to raise the tempo of activities or implementation and ensure success. In order to ensure that all of the programmes objectives are achieved, it was also recommended that an in-built evaluation mechanism should be put in place to ensure adequate monitoring of the implementation of the programmes. In this way, problems can be detected early and immediate corrective measures taken and adjustment made where necessary. There is also the need to consolidate on the success so far achieved. The implications of the study for the proper management and implementation of Adult and Non- formal Education programmes was highlighted. In this regard, managers of Adult and Non formal Education programmes must ensure that policy issues are executed with pecunnary backing. Consequently, programmes must be implemented in accordance with laid down standard and specifications. There must be proper monitoring. If this is not done, it is likely that the objectives for which the programmes are provided will not be achieved and they would not produce the desired positive impact on members of the project communities. Suggestions for further researches were highlighted.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos.
Keywords
Rural Development Programmes , Rural Communities , National Development , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education , Adult and Non Formal Education Programmes
Citation
Francis, E.O.O (2012), An Evaluation of the Perception of Adults on the Rural Development Programmes in Edo State, Nigeria. A Thesis Submitted to University of Lagos School of Postgraduate Studies Phd Thesis and Dissertation, 140pp.