Tertiary Institutions Lecturers and Students Level of Moral Development: Counseling Implications for Nigeria’s National Development

Abstract

This study investigated the moral development levels of tertiary institutions lecturers and their students in South-West of Nigeria. 12 Tertiary institutions, from which 10 lecturers and 30 students per school, giving a total sample of 240 subjects, were selected through stratified random sampling technique, and participated in this study. Kohlberg’s (1977) Heinz’s wife dilemma and simbo’s (1989) civil responsibility episode served as validated research instruments. T-test was used in comparing the mean score of responses by lecturers and students on a 6-point Likert scale which corresponded to the six stages in the Kholbergian model.It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in the moral development levels of lectures and their students and between female and male students who participated in this study. Results of the data collected and analyzed showed that there is no significant difference between lecturers and their students (t = 0.67, P>.05) in their level of moral development.Similarly, the null hypothesis that predicted similarity in the moral development level of male and female study subjects was confirmed (t=0.49;P>0.05).The main counseling implication is that the time for training of more professional counselors to carter for the ever-increasing population in Nigeria is now. Related to this is that functional counseling centers be establish in all schools in Nigeria.The study also recommended, among others, that moral education curriculum be design for our schools and made a core subject, especially at primary and secondary school levels of our educational system in Nigeria.