AWARENESS LEVEL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AMONG STUDENT IN F.C.E OSIELE, ABEOKUTA (A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, OSIELE ABEOKUTA)
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Gana (2001) defines entrepreneurship education as the willingness and ability of an individual to seek not investment opportunities in an environment and the ability to establish and run an enterprise successfully based on the identified opportunity available to them. It is observed by Oyenuga (2011) citing Igbo (1995) that entrepreneurship involves risk-taking in human financial resources. Baheman and Swellis (1999) view entrepreneurship as a manifestation of effective control of human intelligence, skill, and financial resources to achieve great profit, Wikipedia, Higher school career and the technical opportunity for students who may never go to college and as a way to upgrade a young person’s abilities to succeed as an employee as well as an entrepreneur.
Ashmone (2002) sees entrepreneurship as a vehicle to explain the economic theory and to call American youth to understand that entrepreneur is a career option for everyone and also a way to emphasize the importance of mathematics, science, language, and arts and social studies. The view is further stressed by Ureabu (2011) that entrepreneurship education is a vehicle to develop academic skills and creative thinking under the free enterprise system. In the same vein, Uwameiye & Clark (2003) are of the view that entrepreneurship is a vehicle to empower adults to be self-sufficient, independent and income-producing citizens.
Marilyn (2009) states that one of the only ways this generation is going to achieve a lifestyle that is different from that of their parents is through entrepreneurship. It is for students to be prepared to make different career paths in a world that is constantly changing. Dike (2009) reports that youth unemployment appears to be shooting up the sky; because many of them lack ‘employability’ skills that are often acquired from vocational schools. The Vanguard Newspaper of December 23, 2004, notices “youth unemployment” nerved from 4.3% in 1985 to 15.3% in 1986 to 7.0% in 1987 and jumped to 60% in 1997. the report shows that in 2003 primary schools accounted for 14.7% unemployment secondary school 53.6% and tertiary school constituted 12.4%. He further states that the progress in Nigeria lies in the productivity of its citizens and quality education and genuine. Vocational programs hold the key, this will improve economic growth and development strategies as part of poverty alleviation and assist the unemployed in the job search.
Nwafor (2007) points out that the whole idea about entrepreneurship education is self-employment, which will generate employment opportunities for others that must work within him as he cannot work alone. In this view potential entrepreneurs are separated from the general population given to a variety of businesses that entrepreneurs have created. An entrepreneur always sets his goals and objectives, gives all out to achieve them without minding any obstacles in the way. All stones towards achieving success. He is always confident, independent in thought, and optimistic in his action. Furthermore, he sees entrepreneurs as original and unique in thoughts, innovations, and creations with knowledge and versatility. He further stresses that entrepreneur always ‘stand out’ when he is through, original and unique in his way of doing things.
Kidese (2007) citing Nelson (1996) noted that entrepreneurship education is much relevant in the tertiary education curriculum as it provides students with skills and knowledge to successfully lunch and operates their own business venture, provide them with the opportunity to develop their own and practice skills and perspectives that are vital to entrepreneurial success. David (2000) posited that the inclusion of entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions curriculum will serve the students in experiencing and understanding what is involved in setting up a business and he further added that entrepreneurship education would also be useful to tertiary students studies such as that of Kiadese (2007, and Okon (1990) have reported a high level of entrepreneurship education among tertiary institution students. However, awareness of entrepreneurship education among students is not enough but the need to find out the level of their entrepreneurship awareness or readiness to establish a business of their own.
According to Denga (2005) in Kiadese (2007) entrepreneurship awareness refers to the desire of an individual to set up and manage the business. Also, a consortium of entrepreneurship education also defined entrepreneurship awareness as the willingness of the individual to own a prosperous business. Research from the consortium of entrepreneurship education as reported by Carthy (2003) also reported with their entrepreneurial awareness. In other words, their level of awareness is a greater factor in stimulating their interest to set up a personal business after school.
The essentiality of becoming self-reliant in other to safeguard oneself against the problem of unemployment that is eating deep into young graduates in Nigeria necessitated that urgent attention to be given to entrepreneurship education and increase the level of entrepreneurship awareness among these young graduates for the purpose of arresting the embarrassing situation in youth unemployment among graduates of our higher institutions of learning. The study, therefore, investigated the awareness level of entrepreneurship education among tertiary institutions student in Federal Colleges of Education Osiele, Abeokuta.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The high level of unemployment and its associated social ills have been traced to poor entrepreneurship and skills development among students in tertiary institutions. This is manifested in a number of deficiencies that these graduates exhibit in their workplaces such as lack of analytical skills, lack of entrepreneurial and problem-solving decision-making skills, inadequate technical skills, and ignorance in the use of modern equipment.
The study is focused on the awareness level of entrepreneurship education among students in FCE Osiele, Abeokuta.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the entrepreneurship awareness possessed by students with the aim of motivating them to acquire skills necessary to operate and embrace entrepreneurship as a viable means of combating the rising unemployment challenges.
· To examine the level of students awareness concerning entrepreneurship education
· To examine the skills possessed by the student which are necessary for entrepreneurship
· To examine the problems associated with the acquisition of entrepreneurship skills.
· To know the strategies for enhancing entrepreneurship awareness and skills in students.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
In order to achieve the aim and objective for which the study is designed for the following question will be used to guide the study:
1. What are the consequences of entrepreneurial education to Nigeria's Economy?
2. What are the awareness level of entrepreneurship education among undergraduates in FCE Osiele, Abeokuta?
3. What are the problems associated with the acquisition of entrepreneurship skills by students?
4. What are the strategies for enhancing entrepreneurship awareness and skills?
5. What are the benefits of entrepreneurship in the economy?
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research work is specially designed to investigate the awareness level of entrepreneurship education.
The scope of the study covers all the five schools in FCE Osiele, Abeokuta which includes:
o School of Arts and Social Sciences
o School of Education
o School of languages
o School of sciences
o School of vocational
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work will enable the readers to discover the importance of entrepreneurship education.
The study describes the awareness level of entrepreneurship education among students and also examines the strategies of entrepreneurial education to ensure its effectiveness.
It will also serve as a research tool to further research study.
It will also help the student to encourage risk-taking and learning from failure.
The study will help the students to have a changed attitude toward entrepreneurship as a means of making a living and contributing to the country’s economic youth.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Awareness: Is the process of knowing something before doing it
Entrepreneurial: This is the behavior and attitude an individual who wants to be creative put on in the market.
Entrepreneurship: The process of creating something new and assuming the risks and rewards thereof.
Education: Is an instrument used to transmit some worthy aspect of our culture, knowledge, attitudes, values, and norms which will lead to the transformation of the mental, intellectual, and physical skill of the learners so as to bring change to society.
Entrepreneurship education: Is the process of developing academic skills and creative thinking under the free enterprise system.
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