Youth Voice in Nigerian School-based Management Committees

Bashiru Bako Umar,Jamaliah Abdul Hamid,Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah,Steven Eric Krauss

doi:10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.5n.1p.86

Bashiru Bako Umar, Jamaliah Abdul Hamid + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.5n.1p.86

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Abstract

In Nigeria, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) aim to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders, particularly the vulnerable groups in the school’s host communities such as young people and women to partake in school governance. Research on the experiences of youth voice in the committees is scant, however, as much of the existing literature on SBMCs focuses on program outcomes. Using qualitative research interviews, observations, and document analysis, this study addressed this gap by exploring how youth participate and express themselves in two SBMCs in Niger State, Nigeria. The findings, which were derived from 19 youth and adult participants, were drawn from SBMC members out of which 12 were youth between the ages 13 and 25, while 7 were adults aged 40 and above. The participants revealed that youth committee members expressed their voice in the committees through participating in a number of committee activities. Specifically, the youth participated in decision-making during meetings, aided in the construction of committee projects, undertook administrative/managerial functions and monitored the committee’s projects. They also participated in revenue generation, planning, school visits and supervision, advocacy, and sensitization campaigns.

Highlights

In recent years, governments in developing countries with support from development institutions and international donor agencies such as UNICEF and the World Bank are increasingly adopting educational reforms aimed at decentralization in the administration of schools so as to increase participation of members of the community
Findings from this study revealed that youth committee members expressed their voice in the committees through participation in a number of committees’ activities
Others are in revenue generation, planning, school visit and supervision, advocacy, and sensitization campaign as areas that they participate in the committee. 6.1 Decision marking As decision-makers, young people sit on boards and committees of schools, youth-serving NGOs and organizations to participate in decisions making process on several issues that will improve the effectiveness of the program for the benefit of the youth, their peers, and their communities (Wright, 1999)

Summary

Introduction

Governments in developing countries with support from development institutions and international donor agencies such as UNICEF and the World Bank are increasingly adopting educational reforms aimed at decentralization in the administration of schools so as to increase participation of members of the community. This is based on the strong argument put forward by economic and public administration theorists that say efficiency is gained by granting service recipients both a say and a stake in the services they receive (Gershberg, 1999). Available literature on SBMCs in Nigeria is limited to implementation strategies (Akinola, 2009; Ayeni & Ibukun, 2013), trainee's manual and guidebook for training of SBMC members (UNICEF/FME, 2012; Kano State Ministry of IJELS 5(1): 86-93, 2017

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