Investigation Into The Causes Of Students Poor Attitude Towards The Study Of Secretarial Administration In Tertiary Institutions
(A case study of Enugu State)
The study of Secretarial Administration in tertiary institutions involves the acquisition of skills and knowledge essential for effective office management. An exploration into the factors influencing students’ negative attitudes towards this field reveals several key contributors. First, inadequate exposure to the practical applications of secretarial duties during the educational journey may lead to a lack of enthusiasm among students. Additionally, the absence of modern technological integration in the curriculum could result in a perception of the subject as outdated or irrelevant in today’s dynamic business environment. Furthermore, the dearth of engaging teaching methods and real-world case studies may contribute to a disinterest in Secretarial Administration. To address these challenges, educational institutions must reconsider their pedagogical approaches, incorporating hands-on experiences, technological advancements, and contemporary perspectives to foster a more engaging and relevant learning environment for students pursuing Secretarial Administration.
The purpose of carrying out this research was to investigate on the causes of students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial studies in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. In order to obtain the requires data, the researcher use some selected tertiary institutions in Enugu State with a total population of 610 respondents, 400 respondents were used as the sample size while instrument for data collection were questionnaire, text books and personal observation. Three research questions were formulated for the study.
The findings showed that:
Enough equipment were not provided for imparting of the course.
The financial involvement of the course is very high.
Most of the students were not properly, guided by guidance and counsellors before enrolling into the department.
The researcher finally made some useful suggestions and recommendation on the provision of required equipment for department of secretarial studies, that Government should come to the aid of tertiary institutions that are running this course since the equipment are very expensive. The researcher also recommended that guidance and counsellor services should be given to the students before choosing their courses also that there must be good report between students and lectures.
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope of the study
1.6 Research questions
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition an historical Background of a secretary
2.2 Distinguish between a Secretary and other categories Of clerical staff
2.3 Duties and qualities of a secretary
2.4 Difficulties faced by a Secretary
2.5 Derision of a secretary
2.6 Motivation factors of Secretaries
2.7 Provision of adequate facilities equipments
2.8 Importance of guidance and Counselling before choosing a career
2.9 Summary of literature reviewed
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.0 Research method
3.1 design of the study
3.2 Area of the study
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sampling of the study
3.5 Sampling techniques
3.6 Discrimination of the instrument for data collection
3.7 Validation of instruments
3.8 Administration of instruments
3.9 Techniques for data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Testing of research questions
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Suggested areas for furthers study
5.5 Limitations of the study
References
Appendix
Questionnaires
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:
Secretarial studies, simply put, is education for secretaryship which includes the training necessary to develop secretarial skills. These skills include human relation skills e.g. writing and translating shorthand with typewriter, knowing how to operate typewriter both manual and electric and finally being a computer literate. All these sub-skills prepare one for the secretarial functions for which a good secretary must possess. Secretarial studies is also part of the business education which many scholars have written on the subject, all have seen it as education that equips the learner with the skills which they required for use in business offices.
Secretarial studies is one of the most literate course one can offer among other related course. Those who successfully graduated from this course of study are always in terms of job opportunities.
In Nigeria for example, the demand for secretary by various business concern are exhaustible. In the recent past, the secretary by virtue of the training, specialization and responsibility takes the position of an administration which is a step below that of a manager.
At present, responsibility below on a secretary varies from one business concern to another and that is aspiring to the managerial post. All these are dependent on hand work, further training and experience.
Even with the technological revolution in the office, the place of the secretary remains unthreatened. The secretary has unlimited career protests, she is sometimes referred to as a live-wire of an organization or office encyclopaedia among other befitting names.
Secretaries receive adequate training to cope with versatility in an increasingly complex and automated modern office.
But amidst all these available opportunities for the secretary, there has been a negative attitude among the present day students in studying the course in the tertiary institutions especially among the males. The scarcity of proficient secretaries has been remarkable in our developing economy.
Over the years, the secretary has been misrepresented, misapprehended, and misinterpreted as well, with this ugly development, a lot of students aspiring to professionalise on the ever increasing demand of secretaries in our fast developing economy?
Hence the dire need for the study, the “causes of students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial studies in tertiary institutions” with a view of finding out the problems and then solving them.
Perhaps, the most crucial and challenging questions in the minds of secretarial administration educators is what to do in order to keep pace with technological change in the secretarial office equipment and not poor enrolment into the course.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS:
For quite sometime now, there has been a decline on the number of prospective school learners who offer secretarial studies in tertiary institutions.
Moreover, a higher percentage of those who apply to read the course nowadays has been observed to be females.
In another development, some students offering the course claimed that it was their inability to fit into other various prestigious discipline that made them to settle for the secretarial profession.
This ugly development has continued as a matter of fact to be a source of worry to business educators and management of tertiary institutions that offer this course.
It is however envisaged that if this situation continues unchecked, there will be a serious scarcity of efficient and proficient secretaries to man the various business offices spans up in every part of the country.
In a similar development, some secretarial positions demand a masculine hand equally avoid all these feminish “leaves” prominent among the female secretaries.
It has also been observed that some students do not receive guidance and counselling in order to know the importance of the course.
It is in view of these enormous indispensable and challenging studies of the present day secretary that the researcher delved into the study in order to investigate, analyse the cause for students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial studies in tertiary institutions in Enugu State and this recommend valuable and lasting solutions too.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
1. To investigate whether there are equipment for the teaching and learning of the course.
2. To find out why many students are not interested in secretarial administration course.
3. To investigate whether students were being guided by a guidance and councilor before choosing courses?
4. To find out why women have dominated the profession?
5. To make suitable recommendation on the major courses of students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial administration in tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
In the end of this research work, it is hoped that useful ideas will be proffered to the students who wants to do secretarial administration in Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole.
The study will also help to correct the idea that secretarial administration is a course for people with low mentality or handicap in academics.
This study will equally help to enlighten the prospective students to know that there is no gender discrimination in the course. This study will help to correct some negative attitude and ginger students towards reading the course.
The study and the recommendations will encourage the students to have interest in secretarial administration course. This will provide qualified personnel to meet high demand of department and industries in our changing society.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
This research work is designed to cover only the causes of students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial administration in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu and Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, (OSISATEC), Enugu.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. Is the secretarial department adequately equipped and funded to handle the imparting of skilled knowledge to the students?
2. Do enrolling students have career guidance before being admitted to study secretarial studies?
3. Why is the career dominated by female?
4. What could be the solution to the problem of students poor attitude towards the study of secretarial administration.
Investigation Into The Causes Of Students Poor Attitude Towards The Study Of Secretarial Administration In Tertiary Institutions:
Several factors may contribute to students’ poor attitudes towards the study of Secretarial Administration in tertiary institutions. It’s essential to recognize that these factors can vary across individuals and institutions. Here are some common causes:
- Lack of Interest:
- Students may choose Secretarial Administration due to external pressures or lack of alternative options, leading to a lack of genuine interest in the field.
- Misconceptions about the Profession:
- Some students may have inaccurate perceptions of what secretarial roles entail. If they view it as monotonous or unchallenging, they may develop a negative attitude towards studying it.
- Outdated Curriculum:
- If the curriculum is outdated and does not align with current industry trends or technology, students may feel that the program is not preparing them adequately for the workforce, leading to a lack of motivation.
- Limited Career Opportunities:
- Students may perceive limited career growth or opportunities in secretarial roles, which can dampen their enthusiasm for studying the subject.
- Inadequate Resources:
- Insufficient access to modern technology, relevant textbooks, and practical training resources can hinder students’ engagement and interest in the subject.
- Teaching Methods:
- Ineffective or monotonous teaching methods may fail to capture students’ attention and interest. Interactive and practical teaching approaches are often more engaging.
- Perceived Low Prestige:
- If Secretarial Administration is perceived as a low-prestige profession, students may be less motivated to excel in their studies. Societal attitudes and perceptions about the profession can impact students’ attitudes.
- Lack of Role Models:
- The absence of successful role models in the field can contribute to students’ skepticism about the potential for personal and professional growth within Secretarial Administration.
- Job Insecurity:
- If students perceive that secretarial jobs are easily replaceable or subject to automation, they may question the long-term viability of the profession, affecting their motivation to study.
- Personal or Financial Constraints:
- Personal or financial challenges faced by students can divert their focus away from academic pursuits, leading to a lack of dedication and enthusiasm for their studies.
Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving curriculum review, career guidance, faculty development, and efforts to enhance the overall perception and relevance of Secretarial Administration in the current job market. Providing students with a clear understanding of the profession’s potential and aligning the curriculum with industry needs can help improve their attitudes towards the study of Secretarial Administration.