IGBOSCHOLARS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IGBO SCHOLARS FORUM, NIGERIA

This paper examined education policy as a tool for enhancing the professional development of Igbo language educators in higher institutions for sustainable development in Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was all the Igbo language educators in higher institutions in south-east Nigeria numbering 600 comprising Igbo language lecturers in Igbo language education. The sample of the study was 400 Igbo language educators drawn using proportionate stratified random sampling technique from higher institutions in South-east Nigeria for the study. Twenty-nine (29) – item statements questionnaire titled “Education Policy and Professional Development of Igbo Language Educators Questionnaire (EPPDILEQ)” was designed for the study. The instrument was validated by two experts in Language Education and another from Measurement and Evaluation, all from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The instrument yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.81 using Cronbach Alpha method. The results were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation. The findings showed that, the measures of improving the professional development of Igbo language educators in higher institutions in Nigeria for sustainable national development in Nigeria include: the organization of workshops, conferences, seminars, collaboration method among the Igbo language education, among others. Furthermore, the results showed that, the challenges associated with the professional development of Igbo language educators in Nigeria include inadeguate curriculum, poor funding of education, inadequate infrastructure, facilities and equipment, inadequate sensitization programmes for teaching Igbo language, poor implementation of education policy towards the professional development of Igbo language educators, among others. The study recommended among others, the adequate or functional implementation of education policy towards the regular sensitization of Igbo language educators through in-service training, workshops, seminars, and conferences to enhance the professional skills, knowledge, right attitudes and values in order to enhance their efficiency as well as the academic achievement of the students in schools.

Open Full Text (PDF)