Private Sector Participation and Development of Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Okilo, D.A.; Digha, O.N.

Abstract:

This study examined the private sector participation in Education and the development of secondary schools education in Bayelsa State. Three research questions were posed and three hypotheses were formulated. The instrument adopted in this study to collect data from the respondents is a questionnaire titled “Private Sector Participation and Development of Schools Questionnaire (PSPPSQ) in Bayelsa State”. The population of the study is 2,240 proprietors, teachers and ministry of Education officials comprising 22 private school proprietors, 1,660 teachers and 558 staff of the ministry of Education in Bayelsa State. The sample size of the study is 300 proprietors, teachers and ministry of Education Officials comprising 22 school proprietors, 228 teachers and 50 ministry of Education officials. The collected responses were duly analyzed using mean (x) and t-test statistical methods. Analysis of the data indicates that the three hypotheses formulated were accepted at a significant level of 0.05. This revealed that there are no significant differences between the perception of school proprietors and ministry officials on the hypotheses formulated. The finding of the study shows that proprietors are in school business to reduce illiteracy level of the state. However, ministry officials agree that profit is upper most for some school proprietors. It also indicates inadequacy in qualified teachers, equipment facilities etc. it is recommended that Government should subsidize the funding of education of the private sector. They should be encouraged to set up more quality secondary schools to meet the educational needs of the state. Government must also step up routine checks and inspection of private schools while unapproved schools should be closed down.