INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND ONLINE SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE POST COVID-19 ERA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

 Globalization trends demand an innovative process of transforming and redefining education in order to unlock effective management approaches to strengthen online education. The study aimed at determining the management strategies and online secondary education in the post COVID-19 era in Kaduna State, Nigeria. An overview of the background and statement of the problem were undertaken. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A researchers-constructed questionnaire titled, “Management Strategies and Online Education in post COVID-19 era Questionnaire (MSOEQ)" on a Likert scale was used for data collection. A survey research design, specifically cross-sectional design, was adopted for the study. 163 principals from public and private secondary schools were selected randomly from nine Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, using multi-stage sampling. The instrument was validated by three experts: two from Educational management, and one from Measurement and Evaluation units of University of Jos, Plateau State. Construct validity, using factor analysis was established with a sample adequacy of 0.76, while internal consistency reliability estimated at 0.803 was obtained. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions; whereas the hypotheses were tested using t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there was no significant difference between the way technical difficulties, and digital distractions impacted the adoption of online education in public and private senior secondary schools in post COVID-19 era of Kaduna State. It was concluded that internet connectivity, level of computer proficiency, inadequate infrastructure, and influence of social media influenced teaching and learning significantly in public and private secondary schools. It was recommended that there should be increased and prompt release of fund by the government, with established transparency in disbursement and accountability system. Also, collaboration between Ministry of Education and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in developing infrastructure in schools, capacity building of teachers and students. Building resilience with Public-private-partnership should be encourage for improved access to internet connectivity. These suggestions would go a long way in creating a home grown solution that incorporates local content in shaping and continuous improvement towards blended learning and effective strategies in the management of senior secondary schools in Kaduna State.