Political Interference and Quality of Education in Public Secondary Schools in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria.

This study examined whether political interference predicts the quality of education in public secondary schools in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated whether the appointment of school administrators and teachers’ recruitment process predict the quality of teachers, learning environment, and students. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised all 89 public secondary schools in the study area, and a census sampling technique was employed to include all the schools. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Political Interference and Quality of Education in Public Secondary Schools Questionnaire (PIQEPSSQ). The instrument was validated by experts, while its reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, with coefficients ranging from 0.72 to 0.91. Data collected were analysed using simple linear regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that political interference in the appointment of school administrators and teachers’ recruitment significantly and negatively predicted the overall quality of education, including the quality of teachers, learning environment, and students. The study concluded that political interference undermines educational quality in public secondary schools. It therefore recommended that the appointment of school administrators and recruitment of teachers should strictly follow merit-based, transparent, and professional procedures devoid of political influence to enhance the quality of education.

Educational Management

1. Abdulahi Sani (2021) Challenges of funding educational development Zaria. Amadu Bello university press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adriano Mithengi and Samuel Romata (2023) Effects of teachers distribution and transfer on students academic performance. Kenya. Africa Journal of educational research. https//ajernet.net. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ahemba, A; Odeh, R. and Mando, P. (2024) Assessment of political influence in the management of funds in public secondary school. Mukurdi. International Journals of research and innovation in social sciences, vol. 8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ahmodu, U. I. (2018) The relationship between politics of school facilities and distribution sustainability of secondary education in Oshodi LGA, Lagos State. Florida Journal of educational administration & policy 3 (2) 87-103. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ajayi, T. & Adegbesan, S. O. (2007). Quality assurance in the teaching profession. Paper presented at a forum on emerging issue in teaching professionalism in Nigeria, Akure, Ondo State. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Akomolafe, L. M. & Aremu, B. N. (2016) The political sources put in place in public universities in Lagos in financing the institutions. Journal of education and practice 3 (1), 34-45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Akpan, C. P. (2011) Fundamental of school business management. Calabar. Princhoice Konsult. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Allan, W., Mfuru, A. & George, K. (2018) the impact of political interference in public administration. Kibaha town council. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Amaechina, U. Obioha, J. & Obioha, K. (2020) Alternative sources of funding secondary school education. African Journal of educational management, teaching and entrepreneurship studies, vol. 1, No. 1. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Apple, M. W. (2013). Can education change society? Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Arikewuyo, M. O. (2004). Effective funding and quality assurance in the Nigerian education system. A paper presented at the 1st National Conference of the Institute of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Asiyai, R. I. (2014) Improving higher education in Nigeria: the roles of stakeholders. Abraka. Delta State. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Astigton, J. (2017) Qualitative education inquiry: A response to Keogh. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Ayotunde, A., Martins, F. & Emmanuel, O. (2021) Politics of funding of education in Nigeria. UNESWA. Journal of Education, vol. 4, issue 1. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Ball, S. J. (2012). Global Education Inc.: New Policy Networks and the Neo‐liberal Imaginary. Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Bekithemba Dube (2020) The ambience of comradeship in the appointment of principals: A threat to the provision to quality education. South Africa Journal of Education vol. 40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Brown, A. (2020) The consequences of political interference in democratic systems. Journal of government studies, 15(3) 120-135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Chelal, Dinah (2007) Challenges faced by board of governors in teacher recruitment in Baringo district Kenya. Kenya: University of Nairobi press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Choo, A.o, & Linderman, K. (2015). Who can fix a quality problem faster? Quality problem-solving by operations, marketing, and R&D personnel. Journal of Operations Management, 36, 116-133. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Deming, E. (1950) Quality management theory out of crisis. MIT press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Education and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Deeper Analysis - African Development Bank: https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/working-paper-192-education-and-poverty-reduction-in-nigeria-----%20a-deeper-analysis.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Education Quality and Economic Growth - World Bank: [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/30498/9781464813299.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Elujekwute, Edwin, Okigbo Francis & Elujekwute (2021) Influence of funding on the management of secondary schools Akure. International Journal of management, social science, peace and conflict studies vol. 4, No. 1. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Erhieyovwe, G. & Andrew, B. (2019) Politics of funding tertiary institutions and Nigerian growth perspective. Journal of emerging trend in educational research and policy studies. vol. 7 (2) 152-166. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Etim, I. Akuegwu, B. & Uchendu, C. (2019). Assessment of quality assurance in practices in colleges of education in Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State, Nigeria. Education quarterly reviews, vol. 2, No. 1, 94-105. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2014) National policy on education. Lagos: National Education Review and Development Council (NERDC) Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Francis, T; Enos, E. Njihia, G. (2023) Appointment type of principals on students academic performance eastern Christian University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Freeman, R. E. (1984) Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge University press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Green, A. (2014) Beyond quality in early childhood education and care: Languages of evaluation. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Guda, S. T. & Mando, P. N. (2020) Politics of educational policies and programmes for the underserved groups in Nigeria, Makurdi. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Healey, J. F., & Brien, C. (2014). Statistics: A tool for social research (10th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Hunsaker, S. L., & Nutter, K. J. (2015). The Principal as School Manager. Taylor & Francis. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Ibara, E. C. (2019) Politics of school mapping: Evaluation of spatial distribution of public secondary school, Port Harcourt. Journal of political science education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Ifeanyichukwu Nwabueze and Ikechukwu Odum (2016) Politics and politicking in administration of secondary school in Nigeria Port Harcourt academic discourse: An international Journal vol. 9, No. 1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Isangedigihi, A. (2012) Essential of research and statistics in education and social sciences. Calabar Eti-Nwa Associates. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Isoken O. and Adeyemi J. K, (2017) The level of deployment utilization and job performance of teachers in public secondary schools. Bening. European center of research centre for research training and development. UK.www.eajournal.org. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Israel, C. Anthony, C. Chime G; & Agogbua V. (2021) Teachers recruitment as determinant of the academic performance of students. Awka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Jones, R. (2016) Understanding political interference in public policy, pubic administration review, 30 (4), 455-468. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Joyce, O. I. and Ifesiokwu C. (2018) Assessing educational facilities in secondary school for quality education-Asaba Delta State University press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Kpee, G. (2018) Research methods in education: A made easy approach. Port Harcourt. Uzopietro publishing company. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Levin, B. (2016). How politics and governance shape the academic agenda in an era of global capitalism. Journal of Education Policy, 31(5), 617-633. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Lingersoll, R. & Strong, M. (2011) The impact of induction and mentoring programs for beginning teachers: A critical review of research. Review of educational research 8 (2), 201-233. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Lundy, L. (2007) Voice as participation: empowering children’s right to participate in decision making within early childhood and care settings. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Manning, N. (2014) Teacher recruitment, recruitment, research officer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Mayoral, J. (2012). The Principalship: A Reflective Practice Perspective. Cengage Learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Mundy, K. & Verger, A. (2017) The political economy of global education policy. Oxford. Oxford University press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. National policy on education (2004) Federal Republic of Nigeria. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Nwachukwu Prince (2016) Education funds misappropriate and mismanagement and the provision of quality higher education in Nigeria. Port Harcourt. International Journal of scientific research in education, vol. 9 (4), 333-349. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Nwisane Clifford (2023) Interference of political class in public senior secondary school leadership, Port Harcourt. International Journal of Management and innovation. Vol. 4, No. 1, 14-27. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Ofem I. I. (2022) Extent of political interference adherence to federal character principles and sustainability of universities in South-South zone of Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Calabar. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Okeke, B. S. (2007) Politics of education: The Nigeria experience. Done printing and publishing, Awka. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Olaifa, A., Hammed, O. Olaide, A. & Moses; A. (2023) Teachers recruitment strategies and job performance. Journal of Education Management and Instructions, vol. 3 (1), 41-50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Omini, E. E., Okoi, I. I., Ameh, E. (2024) Analysis of differential distribution of educational resources between urban and rural schools. Journal of education in developing areas, vol. 32 (1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. Onyewuchi Michael, Adebiyi Ololade (2021) Equitable distribution of school facilities for effective teaching and learning. Owerri, International Journal of Educational management, vol. 19 (1), 14-25. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. Punch, K. (2016) Politics, politics and pedagogies in education: Poutledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

57. Quality Education for Sustainable Development - UNESCO: [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

58. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246926 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

59. Rowell, E. Ubogu (2020) Politics of secondary mapping and facilities provision. Abraka. Delta State University press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

60. Sharon, T. (2015) Procedures and processes followed in the appointment of principals for School Leadership and Management. South Africa, University of Pretoria press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

61. Shina, O. (2014) Policy model for appointing school principals in Nigeria. Journals of social research and policy vol. 5. Issue: 2, 79-88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

62. Smith, J. (2021) Political variables and management of tertiary institutions for sustainable development in Cross River. Journal of educational administration, 45(3), 123-145. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

63. Strong, J. & Hindman, J. (2003) Teacher quality and students achievement. A review of state policy evidence. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

64. Subedi, S. (2018) Political interference in higher education: A comparative study of Nepal and the United State. Journal of Educational politics, policy and practice, 1 (1), 26-40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

65. Takwate, C. D. (2018) Politics of school facilities allocation, availability and maintenance as correlate of sustainability in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Journal of clinical and counselling psychology 8 (1), 43-56. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

66. UNESCO (2015) Education for all global monitoring report. Achievement and challenges. Retrieved from https:///unesdoc.unesco.org/ark. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

67. UNESCO (2018) Financing education in sub-Sahara Africa. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

68. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2020). Education for Sustainable Development: Learning Objectives. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

69. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000368302. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

70. Vinella O. and Iwuagwu, B. (2023) Politics of school mapping and facilities provision in educational institutions. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

71. Wahab, S. (2019) Effects of teachers’ transfer on students’ academic performance. Abuja. International Journal of Research and innovation in social science. Vol. 3, NOXI. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

72. What is the role of education in economic development?" - World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/what-is-the-role-of-education-in-economic-development/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

73. World Bank (2018) Education quality and economic growth. Lagos, Nigeria. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

74. Wunti, E. R. (2017) The impact of politicizing school facilities distributions on school innovation in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Journal of social sciences 22 (3), 25-41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study