CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1.    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nigeria Union of Teachers is an age long union in Nigeria. It was established to foster a united front for practitioners of the teaching profession in the country. The activities of the Nigeria union of teachers(NUT), covers an avenue for bringing forth ideas about the educational development of the country from the perspectives of teachers, improvement in the economic conditions of teachers and general economic security for teachers in the country.

The use of nonstandard and unpredictable educational codes for teachers and salary brought about the increase in teachers associations shrooming in various southern Nigerian cities, particularly in Lagos, Abeokuta and Calabar. The different associations realized that according the objectives of the groups to bring about a united front will create a strong voice for the interest of the teachers. This union was born in a hostile political and climatic environment. From the minutes of the NUT at inauguration, on July 8, 1931 which was a wet Wednesday morning, the teachers associations of Lagos, Agege, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Calabar and Ijebu-Ode joined met in a church Missionary together to form the Nigeria Union of Teachers. The first president of the group and chairman of the union in a letter dated 25thjuly, addressed to the secretary, T, K. Cameroon, July 1931 and the late Oludotun Ransome Kuti, the husband of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and father of Fela Anikulapo Kuti appealing for the recognition of the shoulders of NUT leadership, when he said: “By entrusting us in a large number of teachers is difficult but a pleasant work of corporation with Education Authorities in this our beloved Nigeria...  On May 27, 1972, the union joined with the Northern State Teachers Union, an association founded by Aminu Kano and a few northern Nigerian teachers in 1948. Extensively, the union has live up to it expectation as it has provided a body for the teachers in the country. Several strike actions were carried out by the union. All these may have influenced the activities of the union particularly as it has to do with pressing home their demands in the protection of their rights and privilages.

1.2.    STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The general poor development of the Nigerian educational system has been a cause for a major concern as it has led to the production of below average students. The current educational crises and poor state of education in Nigeria has been caused by several factors amongst others is the activities of union. The educational system cannot be developed without paying adequate attention to the activities of the union.

1.3.    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine the activities of the Nigerian union of teachers in the management of the educational crises in Kwara state. Other specific objectives of the study are;

1.  To examine the possible objectives of the NUT in Nigeria.

2.  To determine the roles of teachers in ensuring a vibrant NUT.

3.  To establish the need for an improved educational system in Nigeria.

4.  To determine the relationship between NUT and the management of educational crises in Nigeria

1.4.    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.  What are the activities of Nigerian union of teachers towards the management of the educational crises in Nigeria?

2.  What are the possible objectives of the NUT in Nigeria?

3.  What are the roles of teachers in ensuring a vibrant NUT?

4.  What is the relationship between NUT and the management of educational crises in Nigeria?

1.5.    RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: There is no significant relationship between Nigerian union of teachers and the management of educational crises in Nigeria

H1: There is a significant relationship between Nigerian union of teachers and the management of educational crises in Nigeria

1.6.    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would be o immense importance to the educational sectors and relevant stakeholders are it would reveal the activities of the Nigerian union of teachers in the management of educational crises in Nigeria. The study would also be of immense importance to students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further research on the subject matter.

1.7.    SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the activities of Nigerian union of teachers on the management of the educational crises a case study of Kwara state.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial Constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview)

Time Constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.