IMPACT OF TEACHER DISTRIBUTION AND SHORTAGE IN RIVERINE COMMUNITIES ON ACCESSIBILITY TO JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN OGUN STATE

Surajudeen Olawale SADIQ; Bilikisu Oluwakemi OLAOLU; Josephine Omoyemi ADENEGAN

doi:10.5281/zenodo.20601065

Authors

Surajudeen Olawale SADIQ Department of Educational Foundations and Management, School of General Education, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Nigeria Author
Bilikisu Oluwakemi OLAOLU Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo Author
Josephine Omoyemi ADENEGAN Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20601065

Keywords:

Teacher distribution, Shortage, Riverine communities, Junior secondary education, Accessibility

Abstract

This study investigated Impact of Teacher Distribution and Shortage in Riverine Communities on Accessibility to Junior Secondary Education in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised all teachers, students, and administrators in junior secondary schools (JSS) within the riverine communities of Ogun waterside and Ipokia Local Government Areas. A purposive sample of 200 respondents — 150 students, 30 teachers, and 20 school administrators — from 10 riverine JSS was drawn. Three validated instruments were employed: a Teacher Distribution and Shortage Questionnaire (TDSQ; α = .83), an Educational Accessibility Assessment Questionnaire (EAAQ; α = .79), and a School Record Data Sheet (SRDS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and Pearson product-moment correlation at a .05 level of significance. Findings revealed that sampled riverine schools recorded a mean teacher-pupil ratio of 1:62 — 77% above the recommended 1:35 — with only 50.9% of approved teaching posts filled. Subject-specialist vacancy rates were most severe in Mathematics (60.0%) and Basic Science/Technology (68.0%). The gross enrolment rate in riverine JSS stood at 41.3%, compared to the state average of 67.8%. A statistically significant difference found between teacher-pupil ratios in riverine and urban schools (t = 8.763, df = 18, p < .001). Teacher shortage showed a strong negative correlation with enrolment rates (r = −.74, p = .014, r² = .55), while teacher distribution strongly positively correlated with academic performance (r = .81, p = .005, r² = .66). All three null hypotheses were rejected. The study concludes that teacher shortage and inequitable distribution constitute the primary institutional barrier to JSS educational accessibility in riverine Ogun State. It is recommended among others that the state government implement a structured Riverine Teacher Incentive Scheme.