ASSESSING PRINCIPALS’ INVOLVEMENT IN YOUTH ICT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL ACQUISITION FOR JOB CREATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS, GWAGWALADA, ABUJA

Abstract

The paper examined principals’ involvement in youth information communication technology and entrepreneurial skill acquisition for job creation in senior secondary schools in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. The researchers used survey research design for the study. The population of the study was 657 teachers from public senior secondary schools, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT-Abuja. The sample of the study was 300 teachers sampled through random sampling technique (these teachers were used to assess the principals). Random sampling technique was applied to give all the respondents equal chance to participate in the study. Questionnaire on “Principals Involvement in Youths Acquisition of Information Communication Technological and Entrepreneurial Skills for Job Creation (PIYAICTESJC) was used to collect data for analysis. The instrument was validated by experts in the Computer Science and Economics Departments, University of Abuja. The reliability of the instrument was obtained by test-retest method and the analysed study was carried out by using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Spearman Rho rank order correlation coefficients. The coefficient reliability index achieved was 0.71. Mean statistics were used to analyze the research questions. The findings revealed that the principals did not involve themselves in youth acquisition of information communication technological skills for job creation. The principals did not also involved themselves in the youths’ acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for job creation in public senior secondary schools in Gwagwalada, FCT, Abuja. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the principals should ensure that the youths are well educated to acquire knowledge, skill and competence on ICT and entrepreneurship so as to be able to create jobs for themselves and others in the society. This will make these youths to be self-reliant, independent and relevant in the society. They should do this by ensuring that the schools have functional and enough equipment, facilities, qualified instructors, educational and material resources for ICT and entrepreneurship education to thrive and Government at any levels should encourage the schools management by supporting them with funds to make sure that ICT and entrepreneurship education is taken and executed seriously. The youths must be trained to be able to create jobs opportunities to boost the economy of the nation