The Effect Of Students Union Politics On The Performance Of Students Leaders In Imo State University, Owerri

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of student union politics on the performance of student leaders in Imo State University, Owerri. In the analysis of literature review, various references were highlighted; focusing on the effects of campus politics on the academic performance of students. Three research questions were formulated in line with the objectives of the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. 28 positions in the Students Union Government from 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic session in Imo State University were systematically sampled. Through the use of rating scale the results of the respective leadership positions were collected and the independent Z-statistics test was used to analyze the mean scores of the CGPA of student leaders before entry into politics and after participation in each academic session. Analysis of the results showed that active involvement in Student Union politics has adversely affected their academic performance. From the findings of the study it is recommended amongst others that the university management should set up electoral committee charged with scrutinizing academic records of students rushing into student union politics.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The researcher presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study purpose of the study, significance of the study and research questions.

Background of the Study

With the new dawn of politics and the game of politicking in Nigeria following the advent of the fourth republic, there has arisen articulated political awareness by the people of Nigeria. The fourth Republic of Nigeria operates on a constitutional frequency, which gives equal opportunity to the bonafide citizens of the Nigerian state to partake in national politics and government. Consequently, citizens began to recognize their obligation to the state in eradicating the multiple social malaises and the resultant political instability, which played Nigeria.

In pursuit of the above, a new horizon has been opened in Nigeria’s political scene with the emergence of higher learning in Nigeria such as Imo State University Owerri. This brand of politics has in many instances brought philosophical, radicalism ideas in the Nigerian Political configuration.

The framework of government is such that displays similarity if not sameness with the framework of Government of either the states or federal level of the Nigerian Government Thus, the members of the executive of the students’ union Government include:

• The President
• Vice President
• General Secretary
• Director of Welfare
• Director of Socials
• Treasurer
• Director of Finance
• Director of Transport
• Director of Sports
• Director of Information

There is also the legislature known as the S.U.G parliament. The arm of Government is composed of representative of all the disciplines in the University. The third arm of Government is Judiciary, which include the Chief Judge and the Judges of the nine colleges.

Statement of the Problem

The argument on the effects of school politics on the academic performance of the students’ leaders for long has remained a controversial and contesting one. Notwithstanding, arguments abound in certain quarters that school politics has some adverse effects on academic performance of the students who participate in it. There is still the assumption that student active in school politics do waste their time in carrying on some rigorous political activities such as tedious electioneering campaigns and that the resultants effects is the recording of low score in academic requirements.

The researcher is therefore worried by this phenomenon and so wishes to investigate the impacts of school politics on the academic Performance of the student’s leaders in the Imo State University.

Scope of the Study

This study tends to examine the effect of students union politics on the performance of student leaders in Imo State University. The study is however limited to the academic performance of participating students and the causes and solutions to these possible effects. It is also limited to Student Union leaders of Imo State University from 2013 to 2017 academic sessions.

Purpose of the Study

The central purpose of this research is to determine whether active participation in school politics has any adverse effects on, or enhances the academic achievement of the participating students.

Significance of Study

School politics should be seen as politics of the state on a more parochial setting. In order that the students do not pay the price of indifference to their affairs in the politics of their schools, they have to engage in school politics.

However, as a result of the argument that school politics has serious effect on the academic performance of students active in it, it becomes pertinent to carry out a research into the effects of school politics on students who indulge in school politics so as to determine if actually the effects is adverse or favourable, to find out the significance of the impact and to recommend remedial measures to arrest the situation if the impacts is adverse. This research will therefore;

1. Be of great value to the society. As the knowledge from the research will lead them to understanding that campus politics increase the political relevance of students who indulge in it.
2. Showcase campus politics as a breeding ground for future leaders of the society.
3. Serve as a guide to the government and educational institution managers in formulating politics that will affects the political lives of the students.
4. Remain a reference book for future research as into this area of study.

Research Questions

The following question shall serve as a guide in this work:

• Does school politics breed unnecessary time wasting in the student’s participants?
• Does active participations in school politics enhance the academic achievements of the participating students?
• Do students who indulge in politics perform poorly academically?

Hypothesis

The research will examine the following hypothesis:

1. That students’ politics has adverse effects on the academic performance of the students participants
2. That high academic performance distorts active political participation in campus.

Pages:  40

Category: Project

Format:  Word & PDF              

Chapters: 1-5                                 

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.