IMPACT OF LECTURER’ STRIKE ACTION ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF B.ED. STUDENTS

ICHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The education sub-sector especially tertiary institutions in Nigeria has witnessed in recent times incessant closures due to strike actions. The impact of these repeated closures of schools on academic programs of students can better be imagined than described. The tertiary institutions in Nigeria have thus suffered tremendous setbacks as a result of lecturers strike actions (Kuper, 2006). This has always subjected the students to pitiable conditions, disrupting academic programs, giving students’ undeserved extension in their study years, poor students’ concentration on academic programs and poor teacher-student relationships among others. Consequently, students’ academic performance has comparatively become so low while various forms of examination malpractice are on the increase (Marshall, 2006).
A study of this nature is necessary because, education has the universal function of contributing to the developmentof the society by transmitting ideals, values and norms from generation to generation thereby preparing the youths for active role in the society. Education can also be viewed as a displayof values of conflict that exists between ideal and real norms that are typical of all culture.
Fafunwa (2004) in recantation of the above facts stated that, an ideal educational medium should be able to have the beneficiaries, developing the abilities and other forms of behaviour which are positive values to the society in which they live.Ejor (2000) equally recognized the indispensable functions of education which he stated in his book that the aims of education should include:The realization of capability and potential individuals, the development of the body, the training of the appetite which is character or moral development and the development of the intellect. Furthermore, in line with the above aims and functions of education the Nigerian government in the revised edition of 2004 National Policy on Education stated that education should create;
– A free and democratic society
– A just and egalitarian society
– A united strong and self-reliant nation
– A great and dynamic economy and
– A land full of bright opportunity for all citizens.
Ojielo( 2002) in his assessment said that presently, education in Nigeria has not been able to achieve the noble objective because it is in deep problems of education downfall.Paramount among these problems is the incessant strike action which has often disrupted academic activities (Adetiba, 2003).
Many reasons can be seen responsible for these incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Education.The economic down turn and the foreign exchange rates did not help matters. Judging from the economic down turn, the COEASU ask for a review of the agreement which government bluntly turned down (Olaiya, 2000). Following this, there has been several strikes action embarked upon by the COEASU Union.This situation was further aggravated by the way government reacted to COEASU’s strike action. Instead of engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the lecturers, the governments sacked some and even went as far as forcefully ejecting them from their official quarters (Oluwadare, 2008).
In addition to the humiliation, government refused to pay them their salaries and other entitlement. As a result of this, most lecturers left for the private sectors while some others went to foreign countries in search of greener pastures (Comte, 2009). Some student’s took to crime, while others also secured temporary employments and yet others get involve in street hawking and became juvenile delinquents (Olugbenga, 2011). The consequence of these strike actions has led to a continuous fall in education standard (Adeniran, 2000).
The conflict between the federal government and its employees has been occurring intermittently in Nigeria Colleges of Education. Following from this, it becomes pertinent that a lasting solution be formed through a comprehensive research on the impact of strike on the academic performance of B.Ed. students’especially Federal College of Education Pankshin, Plateau State. This work intends tosee the perception of students on industrial action, the influence of industrial action on students study habit. Also to be examined is how industrial action disrupts academic programs and the impact of industrial action on students’ academic performance.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The question that is currently on everybody’s mind is the state of the standard of education in the country. While some people believe that the standard of education is falling, others think it has maintained its standard except that there are problems on how the system is being operated. The ideal is that there should be a smooth academic program free of any disruption from academic activities. Where students learn and graduate at appropriate time if all things being equal.
However, the reverse is the case in Nigeria tertiary institutions in which incessant industrial action is the order of the day. There are many problems confronting educational system in Nigeria such problem includes industrial strike action being embarked upon by the teachers which has discouraged them in putting in their best for students to acquire functional education. As a result of strike action, students were also discouraged and lose interest in going to school. This phenomenon has prevented the goal of education to be achieved in our society.
In response to this problem, this study examines the impact of industrial action on the academic performance as its main objective. Further consideration is how it affects students study habits and how it disrupts academic program which leads to poor performance and delay in year of graduation.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The general purpose of this study is to examine the impact of strikeaction and how the impact affects students’ academic performance in Federal college of Education Pankshin,Plateau State. Other specific objectives are;
i. To examine the perception of student on industrial action by labor unions in the college.
ii. To determine whether industrial action by staff of the college has influence on the study habits of students.
iii. To know the extent in which industrial action disruptsacademic program in the college and
iv. The impact ofincessant industrial action on students’ academic performance
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In order to guide the study and achieve the research objectives of the study, the following research questions were raised in line with the objectives;
i. What is the perception of students on industrial action by labor unions of the college?
ii. To what extent does industrial action by the staff of the college affects students studying habits?
iii. To what extent has industrial action disrupts academic program in the college?
iv. To what extent has industrial action affect students’academic performance in the college?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The following null hypotheses are formulated for this study:
1 There is no significantimpact of industrial action on students’studying habit as it relate to their performance.
2 There is no significant impact of industrial actions and students’ academic performance in the college.
1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The finding of this study will be useful to the following group of people: the students, government, the community/parents, andlecturers
The study is significant to students by helping the students device exemplary means of ensuring excellent performance and enlighten the students on how they can cope with the unfavorable industrial actions embark upon by the various labor union.
Furthermore, the research will add to the body of knowledge by equipping the government with the knowledge ofthe reason(s) behind the incessant strike action and possible solution to it. It will help government to be firm in policy making and implementation. It will also help government to check statistical data to see what was obtained in the past, to enable them compare with what is in the present so as to plan well for the future.
Host community/ parents: the community will learn not to depend on the school totally for her survival. It will educate the parents on the roles of lecturers in the education foundation of their wards, thereby cooperating with school management in providing certain needed learning materials for effective teaching and learning process.
Lecturers: It will present the lectures with alternative ways of resolving conflict with the government and appreciate their roles as foundation layers in the society.
Finally, this study would help to further research and add to knowledge build upon the university and colleges of education.
1.7. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study centers on the impact of strike actions on B.Ed. students’ academic performance in Federal College of Educationpankshin. It will cover some of the issues of industrial action in colleges of education, focusing on Federal College of Education Pankshin Plateau State and the perception of students about it.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
The terms highlighted are defined in the context of this research work.
Strike Action: this is a situation whereby workers stay away from their work place due to failure of employers to fulfill certain agreement. The workers withdraw their services in other to pressurize their employers to either reverse their earlier stand or threatens them to fulfill an unfulfilled agreement.
Impact: This is the effect one variable has over another variable. In this context it is the effect or influence of strike action on B.Ed. students
Academic: academic in this context is the teaching and learning process(s) in a college were subjects are taught in for skill acquisition.
Performance: This is an achievement resulting from learning.
Academic performance:This is the achievement in terms of mark or skills resulting from learning.
Conflict: a clash of interest or disagreement between two or more people.

COEASU: colleges of Education Academic Staff Union
NASU:Non academic staff union
FCEP: Federal College of Education Pankshin
B.Ed.: Bachelor in Education
CGPA: Cumulative Grade Point Average
GPA: Grade Point Average
SAT: Standard Achievement Test
CAT: California Achievement Test

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
In this chapter, views of scholars on the subject matter are reviewed under the following:
2.1 Theoretical Framework
2.2 Concept of Industrial Action
2.3 Students Academics Performance
2.4 Impact of Industrial Action on Students Academic Performance
2.5 Impact of Industrial Action on Students CGPA
2.6 Related Empirical Studies
2.7 Summary of Related Literature.