ADMINISTRATIVE STRATEGIES ADOPTED FOR EFFECTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS COMPETITION IN KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Administrative strategies adopted for Effective Involvement of secondary schools students in interscholastic sports competition in Kaduna State. Six specific objectives and corresponding research questions were posed to guide the study. Three null hypotheses were formulated for the study. Literature pertinent to study was reviewed; cross sectional survey design was used in the study. The population for the study was 1,358 subjects in public and private secondary schools in Kaduna State. The sample size of the study was 279 respondents from zonal sports co-coordinators, principals, and games masters and mistresses, formed the population in six education sports zones out of the 12 education sports zones in the state, Sample study was obtained through multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was a researcher designed questionnaire. It was made up of 32 items. The instrument was validated by five experts in the Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education, and one from the sports council of University of Nigeria, Nsukka.  Frequency and percentage were used to answer the research questions while chi-square statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that planning strategies with 203 (70%) leadership strategies 221 (75.9%) sports facilities and equipment management strategies, 186 (63.9%) motivation strategies 151 (51.8%) and first aid and emergency strategies

162  (55.7%), were  adopted by secondary schools  for  effective  involvement  of students  in interscholastic sports competition in Kaduna State. The study also revealed that majority of the respondents 159 (54.6%) reported that funding strategies were not adopted by secondary schools for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in Kaduna State. The hypotheses testing showed that there is significant difference in the administrative strategies adopted by school principals, zonal sports coordinators and game masters and mistresses for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools

in Kaduna State based on gender (x2 = 12. 182, p = 0.000). There was no significant difference in

the administrative strategies adopted by school principals, zonal sports coordinators and game masters and mistresses for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State based on location (x2  = 0.396, p = 0.529). and ownership of schools (x2 = 0.009, p = 0.923).

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CHAPTER ONE Introduction

Background to the Study

Students’ effective  involvement  in interscholastic sports competition have  long been recognized for contributing in many ways to the enhanced school experience as well as to the increased over all development of the participants. Interscholastic sports have been identified long ago as very salient and crucial for youths, hence, the call on the Federal Ministry of Education to fully implement compulsorily Physical Education and Sports programmes at all levels of Nigeria educational system as prescribed in the National Policy on Education (NPE,

2013). This according to Ogbu (2008) is predicated on the fact that the sporting status of any nation  can  only  b           e  sustained  by  the  level  of  sports  development  at  school  levels. Interscholastic sport is therefore identified as an indispensable programme of physical education in  schools  because  of  its  numerous  benefits  to  the  school  and  individual  development (Morakinyo, 2002).

The term interscholastic sports has been defined by various scholars. Interscholastic sports is defined by Obi (2001) as that sports competition carried on between two or more schools for the advanced skillful students of the school. According to Nwankwo (2003) interscholastic sports programme is designed for the skilled  individuals in one school who compete with skilled individuals from other schools in selected physical education activities. Nwankwo further stated that interscholastic sports programme is meant for the highly skilled in sports, for it recognizes challenges and reward. Agreeing with this, Ogbu (2008) defined interscholastic sports as that which involves the coming together of several schools to compete for honours in different sporting activities, producing interests, fun, social interaction, losers and winners at  the end of the day.  In the opinion of Onyekwena (2013), interscholastic sports competitions are the ones that take place among student athletes and players within a designated locality, may be within a state or a nation. In other words, it provides competition at the highest level for the highly skilled students in the various activities available in the institutions. In the context of this study, interscholastic sports are sports competition organized between two or more secondary schools which cover both athletics and games.

Interscholastic sports have a lot of benefits to offer to students. They are important for boosting the vitality and morale of the secondary school students (Omolawon & Arogbonlo,

etic Associat , but more im

2008). Interscholastic athletics are inherently education, and support the academic mission of

schools (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athl  1

ion, MIA, 2009). Interscholastic sports

teach new skills to be utilized in competition                     portantly, they must build a foundation by teaching sports skills that can be utilized to achieve success later in life. The MIA further explained that  the privilege of interscholastic athletic participation can be one of the  most exciting experiences of a student-athlete’s life. However, the responsibility associated with this privilege can help the student-athlete maintain proper perspective throughout his or her educational journey, and should constantly remind him or her of what is truly important in life. Participation in interscholastic sports enhances upward social mobility, provides a healthy outlet for aggression and develops specialist skills and performances in the students (Ikulayo, 1990). Interscholastic sports  also  promote  happiness  and  self  actualization,  tolerance,  concern  for others, respect for authority and co-operation in the students among others (Ogbu, 2008).It is in recognition of the importance of interscholastic sports programme in the development of sports among secondary schools in Nigeria, that interscholastic sports has been part of the school programme as far back as the colonial era.

Interscholastic sports programme in Nigeria dates back to the colonial days. According to Edger (1979) it dates back to the colonial days during the 1930’s. At this period, a lot of regional competitions were held and organized for different secondary schools in the country, which later gave birth to secondary school sports. After the Nigerian independence, secondary school sports in the form of interscholastic competition in the states assumed the shape of interschool competition such as schools invitational relay teams (during inter-house sports) among others (Morakinyo, 2002). This is as a result of growing awareness of the importance of interscholastic sports programme in the development of sports among secondary schools in Nigeria (Ogbu,

2008). The growing awareness of interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools could only be realized through effective administration, and the strategies put in place for the achievement of the set objectives.

The extent of achievement of the objectives of interscholastic sports in secondary schools is wholly depend on the strategies adopted by the administration. Effective administration helps to  fulfill  the  mission  and  objectives  of  an  organization  and  its  programmes  (including

interscholastic sports), and the  strategies adopted by the  administrator equally helps in the achievement of the stated objectives.  Administration is  the universal process of organizing people and resources efficiently so as to direct activities towards common goals and objectives (Sullivan & Steven, 2003). They further stated that administration consists of the performance of management of business operations and the making or implementing of major decisions. According to Amadi (2008) administration is a process of systematically arranging andcoordinating the human and material resources available to any organization for themain purpose of achieving stipulated goals of that organization. In the context of this study therefore, administration is the process of assembling and utilizing the efforts of people and material resources towards the  achievement of a  common goal,  which  in this  case  is  the  effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition. This process is carried out by sports administrators.

Administrators of sports in secondary schools  include state  secondary school sports director, zonal sports coordinators, principals, games masters and mistresses. The director who is at the headquarter sees to the sports activities of all the secondary schools in the state. Each education zone has a zonal sports coordinator. According to Ogbu(2008) those who coordinate sporting activities within their own zones are referred to as Zonal Sports Co-ordinators or sports officers.The zonal sports coordinators are mostly professionals who are employed in each zone to oversee the administration of sports in secondary schools in the zones. While at the school level, the principal and games master and mistresses are the administrators in charge of sports. The game masters and mistresses are usually Physical education teachers in the schools. The physical education teachers are those who by their academic qualification are professionally trained to teach physical education and also double as game masters and mistresses in secondary schools. They are those directly charged with the responsibility of administration of sports in the secondary schools. They are here in this study referred to as game masters and mistresses. They play major role in the administration of interscholastic sports competitions. In interscholastic sports competition, administration is necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the programme. This can be achieved through the adoption of different administrative strategies.

The term strategy has been defined from various angles by different authors. Ojeme (2000) viewed strategy as a technique set to accomplish an objective successfully. Ikhioya (2001) suggested two types of strategies suitable for interscholastic sports programme. The first

is the Composite strategies, which incorporates groups of strategies. The composite strategy (which is of interest in this study),  simply means that any successful organization may do best to have  strategies  in  the  areas  of  human,  facilities,  equipment,  marketing,     budgeting  and community relations.  Ikhioya (2001)  further  suggested the  second  strategy as  Contingency strategies which involve incorporating an alternative strategy that will look and take adequate care of most likely unforeseen circumstances or emergency arising. Therefore, when we refer to administrative strategy, we mean the techniques, both composite and contingency strategies used by administrators to achieve organizational objectives. Administrative strategies according to Osakwe (2015) are the principles of management which include planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating both human and non-human resources to achieve its goals and objectives. Osakwe further explained that human resources refers to the individual manpower, humanity, people and society which are concerned with the running of organization or institution by using their aspirations, talents, needs abilities and capabilities to achieve stated objectives.

Administrative strategies are components of administration used to manage human and material resources. The strategies include proper and effective leadership, discipline, supervision, planning, delegation of duties, monitoring of staff and students’ activities, motivation of staff and students, funding, first aid treatment and establishment of channels of communication between themselves and their staff and identification of problems (Osakwe, 2015). Interscholastic sports programme in secondary schools require proper planning, adequate personnel for proper supervision of the programme, proper motivation of staff and athletes as important strategies needed to achieve the set goals of interscholastic sports competition (Omoruan, 1996). Omoruan noted that without putting in place a better strategy, achieving a successful interscholastic sports competition would always be a failure. Therefore, good or appropriate strategy remains the basic factor towards achieving intended objectives of interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools, especially as it concerns secondary schools in Kaduna State. Administrative strategies in this study are the various techniques adopted by administrators in order to assemble and utilize the efforts of secondary school students and material resources to achieve effective involvement of  students  in  interscholastic  sports  competition.The  place  and  importance  of  identifying strategies adopted by sports administrators towards effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports programme in secondary schools therefore cannot be over-emphasized.

The secondary school is the second level of schooling in Nigeria. Secondary education is the education children receive after primary education and before the tertiary stage within the range of 10 to 18 years (Federal Republic of Nigeria, FRN, 2013). The broad goal of secondary education is to prepare the individual for useful living in the society and for higher education (FRN, 2013). Specifically, the  secondary school system is geared towards catering  for the differences in talents, opportunities and future roles, to provide technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic development (FRN, 2013) as well as sports development. Secondary schools are made up of students who are predominantly in their early adolescent years between the ages of 10-18 years. The secondary school age bracket constitute the critical period for the acquisition and mastery of sports skills. This is a unique and fascinating period in human development because students are usually in their formative period of development. Secondary school sports therefore, is seen as a promising setting to encourage adolescents to begin and maintain a physically active lifestyle and also to acquire and develophigh standard skills for major games and sports. This cannot however be achieved if the students are not effectively involved in interscholastic sports.

The term effective involvement is made up of two words: “effective” and “involvement”. Effective is an adjective meaning to produce result that is wanted or intended (Hornby, 2010). In other words, it implies producing a successful result. Involvement on the other hand, is defined as the act of taking part in something (Hornby, 2010). This entails giving a lot of time,energy and attention to something you care about. Effective involvement therefore means participating in interscholastic sport that would produce the desired result. Effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports could to a great extent be influenced by the strategies adopted by administrators.Administrators are important for any meaningful sports development to take place in secondary schools in Nigeria and particularly in Kaduna state.

Kaduna state is one of the states in North Western Nigeria, with its capital in Kaduna. Kaduna was founded by the British in 1913 and became the capital of Nigeria’s former Northern Region in 1917 (Fletcher &Cruickshank, 1996). Kaduna has retained this status since 1917. Kaduna is an industrial centre of northern Nigeria manufacturing products like textiles, machinery, steel, aluminum and petroleum products.The state has 388 secondary schools organized into 12 education zones (Post Primary School Management Board, Kaduna, 2015). The interscholastic sports competition of secondary schools of the yester years in Kaduna has

produced notable sports men from Kaduna which include TijaniBabangida and Celestine Babayaro. Unfortunately, secondary schools sports competitions (such as the  interscholastic sports) in Kaduna State was abandoned for many years only to be reintroduced in 2016 (Adamu,

2016). With the reintroduction of secondary schools sports competitions in Kaduna state therefore, there is the need to identify administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in order to position the state to produce notable sportsmen and women to represent the state and nation in sports.

Some  variables  have  been  identified to  have  considerable influence  on adoption of administrative strategies. Some of which according to Ogbu (2008) may include location, school type, age and gender. Obi (2001) earlier found that location and gender have greater influence on interscholastic sports programme.

Gender  differences  in  adoption of administrative  strategies  in  sports  is  not  usually obvious in secondary school level. These days most sports activities are currently handled by both male  and  female  physical educators. Both genders are  equipped with knowledge and technical abilities in both coaching as well as participation (Ogbu, 2008). According to Eke (2002), both male and female actively participate in interscholastic sports competition in the areas of organizing, officiating, contesting, implementing the laws of the game, among others, especially as it  concerns interscholastic sports programme in secondary schools. This study investigated whether significant difference existed among administrators in their administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition based on gender.

The location of a school affects the extent to which it can provide sports equipment and facilities. According to Eke (2002), equipment and facilities for the preparation of interscholastic sports programme or competition in secondary schools are easily affordable in the urban areas. An equipped environment according to Obi (2001) stimulates athletes’ interest and drive to practice or train for fitness towards interscholastic sports competitions. Obi also noted that this is realizable without many problems in urban schools than those in rural areas. Schools around urban areas are close to most sports complexes like stadium, keep fit and training centres. This study determined whether significant difference exists among administrators in their administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition based on location.

School  ownership  is  another  variable  that  can  have  considerable  influence  on  the adoption of administrative strategies. They can be categorized into two namely: public and private schools. According to Encarta (2009) public school is an elementary or secondary school controlled and maintained by civil authority, acting through official board expending public money, and open to all local children. Public schools include grade or grammar schools, junior and  senior  high  school,  and  vocational  schools.  Private  school system  is  a  programme of instruction  that  is  created  and  controlled,  operated,  and  principally  financed  by  private individuals and groups rather than by government. Unlike public elementary and secondary schools, which are free, nearly all private schools charge some form of tuition.  Some schools have more personnel, facilities and equipment than others. For example, Federal Government Colleges have more facilities and equipment than other public secondary schools. On the other hand, the public secondary schools are more equipped than the private schools. Moreover, public schools have more and better qualified personnel than the private schools. In this study effort was made to investigate if significant difference exists among administrators in their administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition based on ownership of school.

It has been observed by the researcher that there is no consistency in the participation of private and public secondary schools in sports. Saba and Agbeko (2009) study concerning factors militating against participation in interscholastic sports among selected private secondary school students in Ibadan, reported inadequate qualified sport personnel in private secondary schools in Ibadan as a significant militating factor for interscholastic sports participation. Momoh (2017) also reported that students indicated that availability of facilities is a significant determinant of sports participation of private and public secondary school students in Kwara State.

The standard of participation in sports by students in secondary schools in Kaduna state, is witnessing a drastic decrease. Records with the State Sports Council Kaduna (2015) and the Secondary Schools’ Sports Unit (2015) of the Post Primary Schools Management Board in Kaduna revealed that the twelve zones, otherwise called Education Zones, are no longer putting up impressive performances for over ten years running in the state and at National Secondary School Sports Competitions. For quite some years now, only the urban zones perform well in the State Secondary Schools’ Sports Competition. Data in the State Sports Council Kaduna show that in the past four years only the schools in the urban zones occupied the first four positions

during the secondary schools’ sports competitions (Kaduna State Sports Council, 2015). It has equally  been  observed  that  in  many  secondary  schools,  sports  facilities  are  either  not  in existence, inadequate or sometimes dilapidated (Shehu, 2011). The scarcity of equipment and supplies has been found to constitute a cog in the wheel of successful organization of schools sports (Asagba, 2003).   Shehu (2011) also reported that most times, students complain that academic works clash with school sports activities on the school timetable, and that lack of encouragement by the school administration hampers their active participation in sports programmes.   It is against this background therefore, that the researcher considered it important to examine administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of secondary students in interscholastic sports competition in Kaduna State.

Statement of the Problem

.  The secondary school constitutes the critical period for the acquisition and mastery of sports skills. This is a unique and fascinating period in human development because students are usually in their formative period of development. Secondary school sports is seen as a promising setting to encourage adolescents to begin and maintain a physically active lifestyle and also to acquire and develop high standard skills for major games and sports. This cannot however be achieved if the students are  not  effectively involved in  interscholastic sports.The extent  of achievement of the objectives of interscholastic sports competition in  secondary schools  is wholly dependent on the strategies adopted by the administration.   Effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports requires planning, funding, proper and effective leadership, management of sports equipment and facilities, motivation of students and first aid treatment. It is with the adoption of these strategies, that the objectives of secondary school sports programme will be achieved.

However, the achievement of this goal is still  questionable in Nigeria, especially in secondary schools in Kaduna State. Not minding the fact that records with the Kaduna State Sports Council revealed that  the  12  education zones  have  good  athletes that  are  ready to participate in sports competitions at their local government level, yet there have always been poor students’ involvement in interscholastic sports. Records with the State Sports Council Kaduna and the Secondary Schools’ Sports Unit of the Post Primary Schools Management Board in  Kaduna revealed that  the twelve Education Zones,  are  no  longer  putting up  impressive performances for over ten years running in the state and at National Secondary School Sports

Competitions.  Moreover, records from the secondary school sports unit indicate that there are not much organized sports competitions among secondary schools in the state. There is also low level of involvement by secondary school students in sporting competitions in the state. Data in the State Sports Council Kaduna show that in the past four years only the schools in the urban zones occupied the first four positions during the secondary schools’ sports competitions.For quite some years now, only the urban zones perform well in the State Secondary Schools’ Sports Competition. These prevailing circumstances provide a cause for concern. This study therefore sought to determine administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of secondary school students in interscholastic sports in Kaduna State.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State. Specifically, this study finds out the:

1. planning strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State;

2. funding strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State;

3.  leadership strategies adopted by the school for effective  involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State;

4.  sports equipment and facilities management strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State;

5.  motivation strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State; and

6.  first aid and emergency strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State.

Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

1.  What are the planning strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

2.  What are the funding strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

3.  What is the leadership strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

4.  What are the sports facilities and equipment management strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

5.  What are the motivation strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

6. What are first aid and emergency strategies adopted by the school for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools in Kaduna State?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance.

H0: 1.  There is no  significant difference in the administrative strategies adopted by school principals, zonal sports coordinators and game masters and mistresses for  effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition among secondary

Schools in Kaduna State based on gender.

H0: 2.  There is no  significant difference in the administrative strategies adopted by school principals,  zonal  sports  coordinators and  game  masters  and  mistresses  for  effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports among secondary schools in Kaduna State based on location.

Ho: 3. There is no significant difference in the administrative strategies adopted by school principals,  zonal  sports  coordinators and  game  masters  and  mistresses  for  effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports among secondary schools in Kaduna State based on ownership of school.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be of benefit to secondary school sports administrators, coaches and  non-professionals in sports affairs.The findings on administrative strategies on planning  for  effective  involvement  of students  in  interscholastic  sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State will generate knowledge and information that will be useful

in planning, preparing and providing successful interscholastic sports competitions. The information will be useful to professionals towards the organization of interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State. It is equally the hope of the researcher that data from this study will stimulate further research in the area of interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools.

Findings on administrative strategies for funding interscholastic sports among secondary schools adopted by sports administrators will help generate knowledge and information for easy means of raising and managing funds raised for interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State in particular and Nigeria in general. The information will be useful to sports administrators, physical educators and non-professionals in sports affairs as well as coaches assigned to schools. They will be able to adopt better funding strategies for interscholastic sports. This could be achieved through organizing seminars and conferences where this information will be shared.

The findings on administrative strategies for leadership adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports among secondary schools in Kaduna State may provide knowledge that will serve as a guide to school authorities on the type of leadership that will help to improve students’ involvement in interscholastic sports. This information will be useful to coaches,  physical  education teachers  and  sports  administrators while  involving  students  in interscholastic sports competitions.

The findings on administrative strategies for the management of sports facilities and equipment adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition will be of benefit to principals, sports administrators, coaches and physical education teachers. The information may provide renewed knowledge that will serve as a guide on repair and maintenance of existing facilities/equipments as well as construction of new facilities.

The findings on administrative strategies for motivation of students for effective involvement in interscholastic sports competition may go a long way toward enhancing ideas for sustainable sports development as well as making interscholastic sports programme functional. The findings will help generate the best forms or ways of motivating student athletes, such as institution of scholarships and payment of allowances due to all recognized athletes/players who distinguished themselves in their events. This information will be useful to principals of schools

and Physical Education Teachers, games masters and mistresses for effective motivation of students in interscholastic sports competitions.

Finally, administrative strategies on first aid and emergency adopted for effective involvement  of  students  in  interscholastic  sports  competition  among  secondary  schools  in Kaduna State will generate knowledge and information that will be useful in handling emergency cases during interscholastic sports competitions. The information will be useful to professionals and  non-professionals towards the organization of interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State. It is equally the hope of the researcher that data from this study will stimulate further research in the area of interscholastic sports competition in secondary schools.

Scope of the Study

This study was delimited to administrative strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in interscholastic sports competition among secondary schools in Kaduna State. It was delimited to planning, funding, and leadership, management of sports equipment and facilities, motivating and first aid and emergency strategies adopted for effective involvement of students in  interscholastic sports competition in  Kaduna State. The study was also  restricted to the principals, physical education teachers, games masters/mistresses and games prefects in government owned secondary schools and government approved private secondary schools in Kaduna State.

The study was delimited to demographic variables of gender and location capable of influencing administrative strategies identified in literature. Finally, this study was delimited geographically to public and private secondary schools in Kaduna State.

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