An Analysis of Intermediate-Level Training in Agriculture and Home Economics in Africa
Nkajimeje, Maxwell
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/68893
Description
Title
An Analysis of Intermediate-Level Training in Agriculture and Home Economics in Africa
Author(s)
Nkajimeje, Maxwell
Issue Date
1984
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Agricultural
Abstract
Purposes of the Study. Institutions for training intermediate-level workers for agriculture and home economics in Africa occupy a key role in the development of the continent. This study aimed to determine the current state of programs, staffing, resources, and graduate output in a sample of these institutions, and to identify problems or factors which might limit their effectiveness. The goal of the study was to provide information which could be useful to policy planners in African countries, and to define issues meriting further in-depth research.
Procedure. A questionnaire (in English and French versions) based on one by Swanson (1981) was sent to 100 randomly-selected institutions throughout Africa. The 41 responses were grouped according to five sub-regions, and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics.
Findings and Conclusions. The major findings of the study were as follows: (1) Overall enrollment for 1982/83 in the 41 institutions responding was 5,389, and the graduate output was 2,269. (2) Despite their important role in agriculture in many countries, women are seriously underrepresented in enrollments, forming only 17% on average. (3) The estimated ratio of graduates to agricultural population is 1:38,000, which falls far short of the FAO recommended minimum for Africa of 1:1,000. (4) With a staff:student ratio of 1:5, the personnel generating capacity of those institutions responding appears to be underutilized. However, nearly two-thirds of the staff hold less than the bachelor's degree or equivalent, indicating a serious need for staff upgrading. (5) Most administrators perceive the quality of instructional materials as inadequate, primarily because of institutions' inability to afford available materials. (6) Lack of facilities, tools, and equipment is a major factor limiting practical instruction to agriculture and home economics.
Because such institutions can have a major long-term effect on agricultural output, nutrition, and health in Africa, serious attention is needed to improving the quality of training they provide, and to expanding the availability of training. In-depth studies are now needed to determine specific priorities and problems in individual countries.
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