AN ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE SANDWICH PROGRAMME ON EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS FOR SANDWICH GRADUATES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study: The increasing economic responsibilities of governments at the federal and state levels have impacted their ability to consistently hire qualified teachers to keep up with the growing number of students enrolling in Nigerian secondary schools. The use of Sandwich Programmes and part-time programmes of tertiary institutions in Nigeria is a reliable way to enhance the academic quality of serving teachers and increase the number of teachers for Nigerian secondary schools. This approach ensures that quantity is not compromised at the expense of quality and standards. (Mezieobi, 2006).

Mkpa (1997) explains that Sandwich and Part-time teacher-education programmes aim to support the intellectual growth and competency of teachers and individuals interested in teacher-education. These programmes are designed to accommodate those who cannot participate in regular school-based programmes due to work commitments and family responsibilities as adults.

It is worth noting that the distance education programme, introduced during the Obasanjo regime in 2000, has the potential to greatly enhance access to education. However, it faces challenges such as the absence of suitable communication devices and well-designed courses, unreliable power supply, insufficiently trained personnel in distance or sandwich learning, and a lack of effective monitoring mechanisms. Education innovation, such as sandwich and part-time teacher-education programmes, aims to increase access to human resources development in teacher-education (Dashen, 2002).

The overwhelming response of aspiring students to part-time study and sandwich programmes during this challenging economic period cannot be emphasised enough. Many individuals are eager to attend school full-time and dedicate themselves solely to studying. Considering the current socio-economic situation in our society, it is common for learners to believe that they should secure a job with a steady income before pursuing any educational programme. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly common to see candidates eagerly enrolling in seasonal sandwich programmes, allowing them to focus on gainful employment for the remainder of the year (Makinde, 1996).

The fact that most candidates for this programme are adults is understandable, given the diverse range of their vocational and non-vocational interests. Additionally, they face various obstacles that prevent them from enrolling in full-time study programmes, such as the challenges arising from their domestic lives, work, and other commitments (Afe, 1990). Based on Afe's (1990) research, it is evident that sandwich students typically fall within the age range of 25 to 51. During this period, they are expected to become self-reliant and no longer rely on their parents or guardians for support. A majority of them are married and have children.

It is worth noting that there has been a significant increase in the number of Colleges of Education, from less than 8 to about 17 by the late 70s, indicating a growing interest in continuing education among sandwich students. The NTI - National Teachers' Institute Centres, along with other centres with various labels like Project-Time, are currently providing training for external candidates pursuing the Nigerian Certificates in Education. This initiative aims to produce more teachers for our schools. According to Ilogu (1996), the purpose of this is to mitigate the impact of population growth resulting from the implementation of the National Development Plans (1960 – 1985) and the Universal Primary Education (UPE) of the 70s.

According to Makinde (2001), there is a growing interest among institutions of higher learning due to the increase in the number of secondary school leavers and the decrease in new university entrants each year. Similarly, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is exacerbating the situation by implementing unusually high cut off points for admission into various institutions. Many adults often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to learning, as the primary focus tends to be on the younger generation. It's no surprise that sandwich programmes are being organised in some Nigerian universities.

A sign of the above is contained in the functions of the Institute of Education. They are among others:

(a) to organize in-service training and other courses and programmes for teachers;

(b) to hold conferences, conduct seminars and organize study programmes;

(c) to organize pre-service, in-service and continuing education courses for teachers and educators and

(d) to bridge the gap between the “Gown” and the “Town” through programmes relevant to the current needs of the society it serves.

The National Policy on Education (1981), stipulates that the least qualifications of the primary school teachers would be the National Certificate in Education (NCE) as soon as the 6-3-3-4 system commenced. As we are all aware, many sets of SSCE graduates have been turned out. This presupposes that most secondary teachers who were hitherto holders of the NCE certificate must of necessity, improve upon their academic standards to properly fit in to the secondary school system or face re-assignment to the primary school sector (Madufor, 2000).

There is no doubt that employment of sandwich graduates has been hampered by the kind of programme (sandwich) they have undergone in school. Despite the fact that sandwich graduates do not any longer have sandwich written on their certificates, yet they do not get employment in the labour market as the full-time graduates. That is to say that they are grossly discriminated against in the labour market. For instance, many employers, according to Munachi (2000), prefer to employ or engage those who graduated in the full-time programme than the sandwich graduates. The perception of the employers is that sandwich or part-time students were not thorough bred in their chosen academic fields, and therefore, do not have content mastery. They also assume that those who graduated from sandwich programme are already old individuals who could work productively and effectively if employed.

According to Onwuama (2001), these days, the employability of graduates solely depends on their types of programme in school, their age and their grade points. Onwuama submitted that individual graduates who are relatively young, who passed through the full-time programme and finished up with first class or second upper division are required for employment than those who finished on second class lower, third class or who passed through the part-time or sandwich programme. This is as a result of lack of employment in the country, which has made the employers of labour to adopt a stiff approach in order to eliminate some candidates who seek employment in the labour market.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The effect of employment on sandwich graduates at University of Lagos cannot be overstressed. There is no doubt that employment of sandwich graduates has been hampered by the kind of programme (sandwich) they have undergone in school. Despite the fact that sandwich graduates do not any longer have sandwich written on their certificates, yet they do not get employment in the labour market as the full-time graduates. That is to say that they are grossly discriminated against in the labour market. For instance, many employers, according to Munachi (2000), prefer to employ or engage those who graduated in the full-time programme than the sandwich graduates. The perception of the employers is that sandwich or part-time students were not thorough bred in their chosen academic fields, and therefore, do not have content mastery. They also assume that those who graduated from sandwich programme are already old individuals who could work productively and effectively if employed.

The above problems propelled this researcher to examine the effect of employment on sandwich students at the labour market, a study of graduates of University of Lagos.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The objectives of this study include to:

(1)  Find out whether sandwich programme affects graduates employment at the labour market.

(2)  Examine whether there is difference in employment between sandwich graduates and full-time graduates of University of Lagos.

(3)  Investigate whether there is gender difference in the employment of sandwich graduates due to type of academic programme.

(4) Find out whether the employment of sandwich graduates differ as a result of age.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were raised in this study:

1.  Will sandwich programme affect graduates employment at the labour market?

2.  Will there be any difference in employment between sandwich graduates and full-time graduates of University of Lagos?

3.  How can we investigate whether there is gender difference in the employment of sandwich graduates due to type of academic programme?

4.  To what extent will the employment of sandwich graduates differ as a result of age?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following hypotheses will bee formulated and tested:

1. There will be no significant effect of sandwich programme on employment of sandwich graduates at the labour market.

2. There will be no significant difference in employment between sandwich graduates and full-time graduates of University of Lagos.

3. There will be no significant gender difference in the employment of sandwich graduates due to type of academic programme.

4. There will be no significant difference in employment of sandwich graduates as a result of age.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to some people and group of individuals:

(1) The sandwich students would benefit from the results and recommendations of this study because, it will help them to understand the effect of employment on sandwich programme. Not only that, this study will enable students to understand some other factors that militate against being gainfully employed especially at labour market.

(2) The lecturers would be more aware through this study, the implication of students’ (sandwich) programme on their employment at the labour market. Lecturers and indeed, other teachers at other levels of Nigerian educational system, would be able to appreciate the relationship between type of programme and students’ employment at the labour market.

(3) School Authority will be able to understand more effectively, students’ situations as regards study and work. With the results and recommendations of this study, the school authorities would be able to give concession to those who engage in routine work and also enroll in sandwich programmes to update their academic profiles.

(4) The society will be well informed through the findings and recommendations of this study. With this study, the society will be aware that type of study affects students’ employment in the labour market.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study covers the effect of employment on sandwich graduates at the labor market, a study of University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

In this study, finance, time-frame and other logistics would pose considerable constraints in the effective completion of this study.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Operational terms would be defined in this study in the followings:

(1) Employment: In this study, it means the work an individual does to eke out a living.

(2) Sandwich or Part-time Students: This is the school programme in which students are allowed to enroll in academics at a part-time level or arrangement. It is different from full-time study.

(3) Constraints: This is what hinders or prevents something to succeed effectively.