Due process compliance by the federal and state inspectorates of education in the north central zone of nigeria

Thesis Abstract

This study sought to examine the due process compliance by the federal and state
inspectorate of education in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Five research questions
and five null hypothesis (tested at p<05) guided the study. The design of the study was a
descriptive survey. The sample was made up of 306 respondents comprising 116
inspectors of education and 190 school heads from the North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Questionnaire titled due process compliance questionnaire (DPCQ) was the instruments
used in the study to elicit opinions of the respondents on the due process compliance by
federal and state inspectorate. The items of the questionnaire were validated by experts
from Faculty of Education University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The internal consistency
reliability of the (DPCQ) was established using Cronbach Alpha procedure and
reliability coefficient estimate of 0.62, 0.54, 0.51, and 0.80 respectively was obtained.
The data obtained were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation and t-test
statistics. Major findings, of the study include the inspectors of education and school
heads agreed that due process practices were complied with in the personnel
administration of the federal and state inspectorate service in such areas like recruitment
of inspectors; posting and transfer of inspectorate staff not being punitive; promotion
based on year of experience; specialist posting to zones; planning; in-service training
and supervision of the performance of the inspectors by stakeholders; and recognition
visits; due process practices were complied with in financial management activities such
as payment of staff salaries and other allowances; involving subordinates in budget
preparation; regular conduct of yearly auditing; effective monitoring of project fund;
management of cash flow; proper recording of financial matters and preparation of
annual account; the major problems facing the North Central Zone of the inspectorate of
education in due process compliance were accommodation constraints; lack of running
cost; poor road network; inadequate inspectors in some specific subject areas;
monitoring the distribution of stationeries and office equipment; poor communication of
information and management skills; and inability to act on complaints; the inspectors
and school heads differed significantly on due process practices complied with to
improve the functions and code of conduct for inspectors such as organizing seminars;
workshops and conferences; training skills; making inspection materials available;
giving allowances and incentives to inspectors; both inspectors and school heads
however agreed on reviewing the existing guidelines for school inspection in order to
improve the functions and code of conduct of the inspectors; both inspectors and school
heads agreed on the perceived strategies to improve due process practices for inspectors
such as punctuality to duty; prudent management of fund; publishing annual state of
education; accurate and reliable report; and confidentiality of information. Among the
educational implications of the findings of the study was that the recruitment of
inspectors could be based not just on showing of certificates alone, but this could be
combined with recruitment examinations which would expose the applicants to realities
of their jobs. It was thus recommended that the recruitment of inspectors should be based
not just on showing of certificates alone, but this should be combined with recruitment
examinations which would expose the applicants to realities of their jobs.
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