AN EVALUATION OF PERCEIVED IMPACT OF POLITICS ON MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OYO STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Educators and social scientists such as Ogbonnaya (2009) and Okeke (2007), have adequately described the notion of politics. They all believe that politics is present in Nigeria's banks, markets, and military facilities, as well as in the commercial and industrial sectors of the economy and educational institutions.

 Politics has been characterized in a variety of ways by these professionals. According to Ogbonnaya (2009), it is a topic concerned with recruiting, securing, and preserving a community's, states, or nation's well-being. Okeke (2007) views it as a tool for using political methods to solve social, economic, political, and educational challenges. Uvere (1982) defines politics as a science and the act of protecting and enhancing the temporal welfare of a society organized as a state. As a result, the business of politics entails both the formulation of basic ideas and their application to specific circumstances.

Politics is concerned with the community's overall temporal well-being. According to these definitions, politics is concerned with recruiting, securing, and maintaining a community's well-being. Politics, as defined, is a tool for addressing a country's social, economic, scientific, technological, and educational challenges (Ugwu, 2000). All of the foregoing implies that politics is an inescapable part of life in any culture. Politics is all-encompassing; it deals with power, which includes factors such as decision-making, resource allocation, dispute resolution, social service provision, and educational provision and management. As a result, no civilization can imagine having a functioning government without politics.

According to Uwazuruike (1991), Government interference has an impact on financing policies, staff personnel administration, basic infrastructure/equipment supplies, and school-community relations. When the influence is positive on school management, development, and progress toward their goals, it is considered positive because the management has an adequate supply of all its needs to achieve their goals; however, when the influence is negative on the management, it is considered negative because the government's interference interferes with the smooth operation of teaching and learning.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Politics may have a significant role in secondary school management choices in a variety of scenarios. Political challenges, social interests, and environmental impacts on secondary school management have all risen to the fore since the government took over ownership and management of secondary schools. Secondary education is intertwined with society; as a result, several segments of society attempt to intervene with secondary school management in order to fit their positions in society.

The concept that politics has an impact on the distribution of funding, personnel management, basic infrastructure/equipment, and school community relations is widespread among Oyo state residents. Political influences have both beneficial and bad effects on school teaching and learning. In today's culture, it seems that secondary school management is fertile ground for politicking, with politicians influencing secondary school management while administrators, teachers, school board members, and board of governors of each school blindly follow them.

This study seeks to evaluate the perceived impact of politics on the management of secondary schools in Oyo state.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The primary aim of this research is to evaluate the perceived impact of politics on the management of secondary schools in Oyo state. Thus, the following research objectives;

1. To investigate the extent to which secondary school management perceive the influence of politics in their day to day activities.

2. To investigate the extent to which secondary schools perceive the influence of politics in the provision of infrastructure and the necessities for schools.

3. To determine the effects of this perceived impact of politics on the smooth running of secondary schools in Oyo state.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions guide this research;

1. To what extent do secondary schools perceive the influence of politics in their day to day activities?

2. To what extent to secondary schools perceive the influence of politics in the provision of infrastructure and the necessities for schools?

3. What are the effects of this perceived impact of politics on the smooth running of secondary schools in Oyo state?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this research will assist the government in determining how politics may impact school management. This information might aid them in comprehending the alterations that are required in terms of political influence in the school's administration. The data will allow the government to assess the success of school policies and determine if they are in the best interests of the community that own the school.

This research will also assist the Secondary school Management Board in becoming more conscious of political influence in secondary education, as well as providing the board with accurate and trustworthy information on the issues related with political influence in school management. This study will be an addition to materials on such a subject matter and will provide aid to other researchers to fill another gap and extend this research to another state.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will only cover public schools in Oyo state. The study was limited to perceived impact of politics on the management of secondary schools

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study was limited by insufficient time to fully broaden the reach of secondary schools in Oyo.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. POLITICS: The activities associated with the governance of a country or area.

2. MANAGEMENT: The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

3. SCHOOL: An institution in which individuals attend in order to gain knowledge.

4. PERCIEVE: To become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand.