CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The word entrepreneur is derived from the French verb enterprendre, which is said to mean ‘’to undertake’’. This refers to those who undertake the risk of establishing new ventures or enterprises. An enterprise is created by an entrepreneur. It is the willingness to take risk and develop, organize and manage a business enterprise in a competitive global market place that is constantly evolving. An entrepreneur is an initiator, risk bearer, marketer, promoter and manager of a new business enterprise (Igbo, 1997). The knowledge of accounts and of costing is crucial for a successful entrepreneur to strive and sustain his/her enterprise. This obliged Aniagboso (2009) to declare that the ability to keep sales and purchase records are needed for the growth and substance of every business enterprise. Entrepreneurship Education is the core of both individual’s and society’s economy. For an individual to meet up with the demands of the Nigerian society he needs some skills; with these skills, he can explore his environment for the betterment of both himself and the larger society. The social dimension of vocation is in form of preparation of individual for the world of work, and based on this, enterpreneurial education is found in all societies that have occupational structures. It is logical to reason therefore that it is only through entrepreneurship education programme that school leavers (youth) will be introduced to self-employment which happen to be the driver of any economy. Njoku and Nwosu (2010) citing Anyakoha (2011) stated that entrepreneurship education deals with the acquisition of right habits, attitudes, and the skills as well as means of surviving in the face of unemployment or harsh economic environment.
Core Entrepreneurs uphold the principle that ''everything is possible'' so long the individual is hardworking, creative, consistent, innovative, trustworthy, sincere, diligent and transparent. In the support of the above, Njoku and Nwosu (2010) asserted that an entrepreneur is a person who coordinates the other factors of production by assuming the associated risks and investing his resources in a business venture. He is a person who organizes and manages business and keeps it on going. In the same vein, Alugbuo (2013) posited that entrepreneurs are people with visions and ideas, they are creative and innovative. Another school of thought, Nwaiwu (2013) sees an entrepreneur as a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and is accountable for the inherent risks and outcome. An entrepreneur is seen as a person who sees a business opportunity, obtains the needed capital, knows how to put together an operation successfully and has the willingness to take a personal risk of success or failure. Entrepreneurs are pioneers, innovators, leaders and inventors who have the ability to initiate a business enterprise for self-reliant which a goes a long way to promote economic development. Entrepreneurship education in secondary schools focuses on development of skills and attributes that enable the realization of opportunity where management education is focused on the best way to operate existing hierarchies. Variations of entrepreneurship education are offered at all levels of schooling from primary or secondary schools through graduate tertiary institutions. Both approaches share an interest in achieving ‘profit’ in some form. (In nonprofit organizations or government can take the form of increased services or decreased cost or increased responsiveness to the customer/ citizen/client) (Mironet al, 2014). Entrepreneurship education can be oriented towards different ways of realizing opportunities. It can be through: regular entrepreneurship – opening a new organization, promoting innovation or introducing new products or services or markets in existing firms, creating charitable organization {or portions of existing charities); and developed as a way of developing skills such as risk-taking, and problem solving. Through the teaching of entrepreneurship skills, it is believed that our secondary school graduates would assume more responsibilities in job creation and giving a sharper focus on the field to the students on graduation to be useful to them and functional to the Nation. Entrepreneurship education seeks to provide students with the knowledge, skills and innovation to encourage entrepreneurial success in a variety of settings. It is a key driver of our economy.
1.2. RESEARCH PROBLEM
Entrepreneurship education is the surest means of attaining education for self-reliance. Much of the interest that is centered on entrepreneurship education arises from the fact that it exposes students to career awareness and equips them with adequate skills for useful employment. Different entrepreneurial courses are being taught in secondary schools in Imo state, in order to equip the graduates with skills, abilities and competencies for self-reliance. Despite the bold step taken by different government levels in including entrepreneurship education into the school curriculum and the huge financial resources invested in procuring tools and equipment for vocational / technical workshops; there is still high rate of unemployment among school leavers and college graduates. This has been attributed to ineffective skills and inadequate competencies required to compete and survive in the labour market. The progressive decline in secondary school graduates in establishing themselves has been attributed to lack of adequate students experience in entrepreneurial education, inadequate employable skills imparted to them. It is as a result of this background that this study seeks to ascertain practical awareness of entrepreneurial education among students in Secondary School Students in Rivers state of Nigeria.
1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major aim of the study is to examine the practical experience of entrepreneurial education among private secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Other specific objectives of the study include;
1. To examine the benefit of entrepreneurial education to secondary school students in Nigeria.
2. To assess the role of entrepreneurial education in addressing unemployment among young school, leavers in Nigeria.
3. To assess the level of private schools preparedness in achieving an effectiveentrepreneurial education of their students.
4. To examine the impact of adequate experience on effective entrepreneurial education among private secondary school students in Nigeria.
5. To recommend ways of improving students practical experience of entrepreneurial education.
1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the benefits of entrepreneurial education to secondary school students in Nigeria?
2. What is the role of entrepreneurial education in addressing unemployment among young school, leavers in Nigeria?
3. What is the level of private schools preparedness in achieving an effective entrepreneurial education of their students?
4. What is the impact of adequate experience on effective entrepreneurial education among private secondary school students in Nigeria?
5. What are the ways of improving students practical experience of entrepreneurial education?
1.5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H0: There is no significant impact of practical experience on effective entrepreneurial education among private secondary school students in Nigeria.
H1: There is significant impact of practical experience on effective entrepreneurial education among private secondary school students in Nigeria.
1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study would be of immense benefit to the development of entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths which would help boost the economy and also ensure entrepreneurial competency among young school leavers . The study would also be of immense importance to students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing a further study on the subject matter.
1.7. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study is restricted to the practical experience of entrepreneurial education among private secondary school students in Port Harcourt Rivers 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.
Can't find what you are looking for? Hire A Researchproject Writer To Work On Your Topic or Call 0806-703-7559.
Proceed to Hire a Writer »