APPRAISAL OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA, OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM IN MEETING ENTREPRENEURIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING A COMPUTER BUREAU
Abstract
The study appraised the content of National Diploma, Office Technology and Management Programme in meeting the requirement of its graduates in engaging in entrepreneurship activities as it relates to operating a computer bureau. The purpose of the study was to find out the extent the embedded competencies in the curriculum are able to equip prospective graduates with the skills, knowledge and attitude required to run a computer bureau. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 14 OTM lecturers in Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnics, Unwana and 23 Computer bureau operators in Afikpo North Local Government Area. The entire population was studied because it was manageable. A four-point structured questionnaire with 13 items was used. The questionnaire was face and content validated by three Chief lecturers in the department of Office Technology and Management, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana. The internal consistency reliability for the instrument was established using Cronbachs Alpha Reliability Coefficient which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.89. The data were analysed using mean statistics and standard deviation for the research question and t-test for the hypothesis. The result showed that ND OTM curriculum was appraised to be very highly embedded with curriculum content that will enable its graduates operate a computer bureau enterprise. The lecturers and computer bureau entrepreneurs had no significant difference in their mean responses on the extent ND OTM curriculum is embedded with competencies that will enable its graduates operate a computer bureau. Thus, the null hypothesis was retained. The study recommended among others that Office Technology and Management lecturers should be deliberate in selling this business prospect to students; giving them the necessary support, ideas and encouragement while in school. Moreover, School management should liaise with enterprises/entrepreneurs that could be of help to students by inviting such firms for symposia, workshops and seminars. This suggests that the Continuing Professional Development Centres (CPDC) seminars being held for final year (ND II and HND II) Polytechnic students should be taken more seriously as this will help to expose them to the nitty-gritty of setting up an enterprise.
Key Words: Office Technology and Management, Curriculum, Computer Bureau, Entrepreneurial Requirement.
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