Evaluation of Technical and Vocational Education Programme of Nigerian Correctional Service Reformatory Institutions in Cross River State

Abstract

The evaluation of the programmes in the institutions dealing with juvenile offenders in Cross River State is long overdue. This study was patterned on the discrepancy evaluation model aimed at evaluating the technical and vocational Education Training (TVET) programmes for inmates of Nigerian Correctional Service Reformatory Centres in Cross River State. The main thrust of this study is to evaluate the extent to which practices on technical and vocational education and training programme have adhere to; The objectives of the study are to consider the criteria for assigning inmates to different trades, adequacy of curriculum content and facilities. A survey research design was adopted, the total respondents of the study consisted of 394 persons. The total population of 394 was studied, hence no sampling procedure was used. A structured questionnaire with three sections, (A - C) was used as instrument for data collection comprising forty-four items. The items in section A and C were structured on a five-point Likert scale, while section B adopted a check list response type questions of ‘YES or NO’. the instrument was pilot tested on 236 respondents who were not part of the population for the study after being subjected to face validation by three experts. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was calculated to be 0.83 using Cronbach Alpha formula. Three research questions and three hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics were employed to test the hypotheses. Among other findings, on the criteria for assigning inmates into technical and vocational areas in the reformatory institutions, the identified four useful criteria usually adopted as interest of the inmates, sex of the inmates, educational background and societal needs. The study equally showed gross inadequacies in the training facilities used for the skill acquisition needs of the inmates (representing 33.33%). Findings of the study showed quite a number of instructional techniques are used for instruction in the reformatory institutions to include among others individualized instruction, demonstrations and questions techniques. Based on these findings’ recommendations were made among others that interest of the inmates should be considered seriously in assigning them into technical and vocational areas, the idea is to ensure that the inmates do not abandon training due to disgust and boredom. Previous technical and vocational experience or job was equally recommended, this was to tailor training to the needs, aptitudes and abilities of the inmates.