Two decades of World Bank assisted extension services in Nigeria: Lessons and challenges for the future

Abstract

This paper reviewed the period between 1975 and 1995 when World Bank funds were used to reactivate the erstwhile moribund extension services in Nigeria. It noted that significant progress had been made in the establishment of an institutional framework for a functional extension service in the country. There were, however, some weak areas that require special attention for the extension services to remain functional and relevant to the needs of a majority of farmers. These areas include the input supply system, the need for a special focus on issues of natural resources management for sustainable land use and the environment. Others are the need for democratization and empowerment of local communities and farmers’ associations, and the harnessing NGO efforts for a wider coverage and sustainability of the extension services. It was concluded that the big challenge in the next decade would be in the areas of securing government commitment and mobilizing local funds for sustaining the service. JAgr Educ Ext (2001, 7, 3, pp 143–152)     

Correlations Among Five Demographic Variables and the Performance of Selected Jamaican 11th-graders on Some Numerical Problems on Energy

This study was designed to assess whether the level of performance of selected Jamaican 11th-grade physics students on some numerical problems on the energy concept was satisfactory and if there were significant differences in their performance linked to their gender, socioeconomic background (SEB), school location, English language and mathematical abilities. The 331 sampled students consisted of 213 boys and 118 girls; 197 students were from a high SEB and 134 students from a low SEB; 296 students were from seven urban schools and 35 students from three rural schools; 112, 153 and 66 of the students had high, average and low English language abilities, respectively, while 144, 81 and 106 of the students had high, average and low mathematical abilities, respectively. An Energy Concept Test (ECT) consisting of six structured numerical questions was employed for data collection. The results indicated that although the students’ level of performance was regarded as fairly satisfactory, there was a lot of room for improvement. There were statistically significant differences in the students’ performance on the ECT linked to SEB, and mathematical abilities in favour of students from a high SEB, and high mathematical abilities, respectively. There was a positive, statistically significant but weak correlation between the students’ (a) mathematical abilities, and (b) English language abilities and their performance on the ECT, while there were no correlations among their gender, school location, and SEB and their performance on the ECT.     

Multitasking,but for what benefit? The dilemma facing Nigerian university students regarding part-time working

Students working part-time while studying for a full-time university degree are commonplace in many Western countries. This paper, however, examines the historically uncommon part-time working activities and career aspirations among Nigerian university students. In particular, how working is perceived to contribute to developing employability skills, and whether it is influenced by their self-efficacy. Survey data from 324 questionnaires were collected from a federal university, although the data analysis used a mixed method. The findings indicate that despite low levels of part-time working generally among students, older, more experienced, higher level and female students place a premium on the skills that part-time work can develop. Moreover, self-efficacy and being female is a significant predictor in understanding part-time work and career aspirations. This study offers originality by focusing on students’ part-time work, the value working provides and its link with career aspirations, within a relatively unexplored context of Nigeria.     

Equality of access and catchment area factor in university admissions in Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to criticallyexamine the desirability of the catchment areapolicy in the admission process in Nigeria andto analyse the implementation and implicationsof catchment factor as one of the criteria usedin the admission process into NigerianUniversities.Three federal universities were purposefullysampled for the study. Data were obtained fromthe universities' admission officers,examination and record officers, faculty anddepartmental examination officers. Data werealso collected from the Joint Admissions andMatriculation Board, the National UniversitiesCommission and the Federal Ministry ofEducation.Data were collected through a preparedchecklist. Two research questions were raisedand two hypotheses formulated. The obtaineddata were analysed by using simple percentageespecially for the trend and comparativeanalysis. The t-test statistic and anova wereused to test the hypotheses, while simplepercentage and ratios were used to compute thewastage rate difference.The major findings include: that admissionratio into the universities among states wasnot proportional to the size of enrolment atthe terminal grade of the secondary schoollevel in these states which justify affirmative policies such as the one in focusto redress the imbalance; that the universitieshave been implementing faithfully the policyaccording to the laid-down guidelines; that themajor groups in the catchment area of eachuniversity predominate admission, except wherea major group is absent; and that there was asignificant difference in the quality ofperformance of students admitted on merit andthose admitted through catchment area policywhile a no significant difference was found inthe academic performance among studentsadmitted through catchment area, universitydiscretion and educationally disadvantagedstates; and that the wastage rate of those onmerit was lower than those through thecatchment area policy.Based on the findings, the study suggested thatthe policy should be retained, but finetuned soas to effectively serve as a measure throughwhich the imbalance in university educationcould be minimized and increased access touniversity education by the various groups inthe country would be assured. However, thepaper suggested that the percentage allocatedto this factor be reduced in the light of itsnegative implication on the quality of studentperformance and subsequently the primaryobjective of university education.     

The response of liver lipid peroxidative and antioxidant defense systems of protein undernourished rats to liver regeneration

The response of liver lipid peroxidative and antioxidant defense system of protein undernourished rats to liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy was examined in rats. Animals were divided into four groups; A,B,C and D of four animals each. Animals in group A were maintained on 16% casein diet while those in groups B, C and D were placed on low-protein diet (5% casein) for fourteen weeks and fed ad libitum. 72 hours before sacrifice, partial hepatectomy was carried out on animals in group D while animals in group C were sham-operated. The results show that protein undernutrition induced an increase in lipid peroxidation but reduced catalase activity, glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity when compared with well-nourished rats. Liver regeneration however, resulted in significant increases in lipid peroxidation and catalase activity but significant reductions in glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity in protein undernutrition rats when compared with their sham-operated counterparts. These results suggest that liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy exacerbates lipid peroxidation in protein undernutrition rats and that Catalase plays a major role in the mopping up of reactive oxygen species generated following liver regeneration in partially hepatectomised protein undernutrition rats.     

Effects of Concept and Vee Mappings Under Three Learning Modes on Students' Attitudes Towards the Mappings,Learning Modes,Ecology and Genetics

This study investigates the effects of concept and vee mappings under cooperative, cooperative-competitive and individualistic learning modes, ability levels and gender on students' attitudes towards concept and vee mappings, the three learning modes, ecology and genetics. A pre-test-post-test experiment, with control groups, involving 808 eleventh grade (fourth form) students, was used for data collection. Students taught the use of concept and vee mappings, under cooperative conditions, developed superior positive attitudes towards the two heuristics, ecology and genetics, compared with those taught under cooperative-competitive and individualistic conditions. Statistically significant differences in their attitudes were due mainly to treatment and ability. High ability students developed the most superior positive attitudes to concept and vee mappings, ecology and genetics. Students' attitudes towards cooperation were mostly positive but totally negative to individualisation and mostly negative to competition. Students' positive attitudes to ecology and genetics correlated negatively with their attitudes towards competition and individualisation. The implications of the study's findings for the teaching of science are addressed.     

Effects of concept and vee mappings under three learning modes on students' cognitive achievement in ecology and genetics

This study verified the efficacy of concept and vee mapping heuristics under cooperative (CP), cooperative–competitive (CP-CM) and individualistic whole (IW) class learning conditions in improving students' achievement in ecology and genetics. A total of 808 tenth-grade students were involved in the study. The results showed that the experimental groups taught with concept and vee mappings under the three learning modes achieved significantly better than the control groups. Students in the CP-CM condition in all groups achieved significantly better than their counterparts in the other two groups, whereas the CP-CM experimental group students achieved significantly best. A significant interaction between treatment and ability suggested that an element of competition, when combined with small group cooperation, favored students of lower ability.     

A Review of Some Sources of Students' Misconceptions in Biology

It is now widely acknowledged that students' misconceptions in science impede their meaningful understanding of and good performance in the subject. A search in the literature reveals that textbooks, reference books, teachers, language, cultural beliefs and practices are some principal sources of high school students' misconceptions of many science concepts in biology. In this paper, some misconceptions students hold in biology, which originate from each of these sources, are reviewed using cognate studies and published documents. The implications of the conclusions from the review for biology education are addressed.     

Gender analysis of student enrolment in Nigerian universities

The paper analysed the trend and pattern ofgender enrolment in Nigerian Universitiesbetween 1989 and 1997. It critically examinedthe gender disparity in university enrolmentgenerally, as well as among some selecteddisciplines and the country's geo-politicalzones. The analysis revealed that gap existedbetween female and male in the universityenrolment with lower female enrolment in allaspects of the Universities. Specificallythere was a wide gap in the sciences andscience-based disciplines and also between theNorthern and Southern zones with higher femaleenrolment in the south than the north. Thepaper made useful suggestions to narrow thegender gap in the university enrolment in thenearest future, which included sustainedenlightenment programmes, fine-tuning labourlaws and accommodating female under the``educationally disadvantaged' admission policybeing enjoyed by some citizens of thecountry.     

Occupational Health Hazards: Assessing Occurrence and Policies in Nigerian Academic Libraries

This study examines the policies and occurrences of occupational health hazards among library personnel in private universities in the Southwest, Nigeria. A total population of 177 respondents from 15 privately owned universities were used for the study. The research instrument used in the collection of data was a questionnaire. The result of the study shows that most respondents have experienced occupational health hazards. The study also revealed that muscle strain, back aches, eye problems, and respiratory diseases are the most prevalent occupational health hazards experienced by library personnel. The study identified manual handling of library materials, constant exposure of the eyes to computer screens, inhaling of chemicals and dust, as well as long sitting position as the main causes of occupational health hazards among staff. Most respondents indicated that their organizations are not implementing policies on occupational health hazards. Recommendations were made on how to address the various issues raised.