THE ROLE OF RADIO  IN IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM                                                                       

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACHGROUND OF THE STUDY

            Education is an important agent for development of an individual, community, the social and the nation a whole.  According to behaviorist, the child is born without a :self”, he is voiced as a clean state on which the care givers write what they wish.  Through education, individuals perceived and imbibe fundamental values and also develop new ones.  Education also as part of socialization help to develop an individual, which in turn leads to the improvement of the society.  Again, certain prescribed goals are realized in areas of economic growth, healthcare, political and social awareness, political stability, self reliance, national identity, cultural correlation amongst other things.

            The need for all sundry to be enlightened and will educated cannot be over emphasized and this, brought about the Introduction of using the media to get people educated.  The electronic media, which serves as a means include the radio, the television, films and cinemas but the radio has continued to wax stronger as a medium of the people.  We regard it as a medium of the people.  We regard it as a medium of the people because radio has become a common sight in both urban and rural communities.  It appeals to both literate and illiterate audiences as its programmes can be broadcast in their local dialects.  According to Ansah (1991: 34) agrees that “of all the mass media generally available to Nigerians, the radio is the most widespread and accessible in other words, it breaks the barriers of distance as its reach is widely and highly penetrating.

            Again, because of this qualities, the radio medium is seen as the effection means to get all sundry educated.  Therefore, the role of the radio in educating the masses are found in some of its educational programmes like ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme, Win a million, school debates and host of others  Education therefore is not only the development of individuals mental powers, knowledge and ability but also the systematic training and instruction given out especially to the young ones in colleges and Institutions through the media.  Again, the media serves the purpose of enlightening the public both formally and informally.

            The introduction of ESBS/IMT Poly-Air, a radio programme could be linked with the introduction of educational broadcasting in Nigeria.  It started with the commissioning of wired broadcasting services in Lagos, during the colonial administration.  This services involves the system of using the radio stations to relay programmes to subscribers, using eables connected to load speakers installed in their homes.  In the same vain, the media gets to the audience, relaying different programmes.

            Further, Enugu being the regional capital of the former Eastern Nigeria, the heart-beat of Igbo-land and presently, a state capital which occupies a strategic position in the political and social organization of Nigeria requires its citizens to be well enlightened, self reliant, independent and academically stable.  Based on this, the need to use the media as an agent or instrument of formal learning become necessary.

            Over the years, a lot of researches had been carried out on the issue of ESBS Poly-Air programme in improving the educational standard in Enugu.  Also to find out the relationship between the Poly-air programmes, the Institution offering it (IMT) and also the radio medium that airs it.

            Today, it is well accepted that the radio medium educational programmes produces good effects on the audience in the areas of comprehension, speaking abilities, perception, retention capabilities.  There are also some problems, for instance some lecturers do not go in line with the media style of presentation.  Secondly, there is one side communication and there is no feedback from the audience.  Again there may also be distractions at home and short of power supply from NEPA.  Not withstanding these problems, ESBS/IMT Poly-air has its objectives as:

1.            To help non-regular students and works improve their academic pursuit through radio medium.

2.            Since the radio has the ability to permeable the interiors of the state, the ruralites also listens to the lecturers.

3.            To contribute to the uplifting system of education in Enugu state by importing knowledge to all that are interested. 

1.2       RESEARCH PROBLEM

            The study among other things finds out the effectiveness of Poly-air programmes on the students.  Also, it tries to find out if the timing of the programme is suitable for students and hold their interest.

            The study also finds out the importance and the acceptability of the programme by the public and finally, if this radio programme is favouring education the masses as compared to the regular students programmes.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

            The importance of education can never be over-emphasized.  It is the taproot of civilization and rural development.

            Development is achieved, when there is an appreciable level in basic human needs, including high literacy level.

            Bearing all these in mind, the objective of the study includes:-

1.            To find out if the public truly appreciate the radio programme on its efforts of educating the masses.

2.            To create awareness on the needs for those that are not opportune to attend regular programme in tertiary Institution, to enroll in the programme.

3.            To ascertain the extent to which the programme has improved human life especially amongst the youths in the areas of comprehension and speaking abilities, behaviour and character.

4.            To encourage and boost the morale of the public about the programme.

1.4       SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

            This study is guide necessary bearing in mind that the world is ever changing and developing.  In western world, the use of computers to educate the population and give them wider knowledge of the world is very much accessible.  This makes them to be scientifically, technologically, educationally and socially developed.  Nigeria as we know, cannot be compared to the western world and this bring about the need for the public to be educated; those who were not opportuned, to enroll into various Institutions of learning, comes to Poly-Air programmes and benefit from its academic efforts.

            It is imperative to assess and find out the role of Poly-Air programme in educating the masses and at the same time examines the problem encountered in pushing the programme forward.

            Finally, the result of the study will help to find other ways of improving the programme and educating the masses.

1.5       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.            Does the ESBS/IMT Poly-Air stimulates the interest of the public?

2.            Does ESBS time this educational programmes to suit its masses of Enugu metropolis and environs?

3.            Is there any appreciable level on the educational system of Enugu state since the introduction of the programme?

4.            Does the programme help to develop individual’s intellect on the perception of issue and events in the society.

1.6       STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

HI:       Radio educational programmes are more effection in

educating the populace, than academic activities in

schools.

Ho:      Radio educational programme are not effective in

educating the populace.

H₂        Poly-Air programmes are well packaged to enhanced

comprehension of the audience.

Ho:      Poly-Air programmes are not well packed to enhance

comprehension of the audience.

H₃        The timing of Poly-Air programme on the radio is suitable

to the students

Ho:      The timing of Poly-Air programme on the radio is not

suitable to the students

H4:      ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme helps to improve the

educational system in Enugu state.

Ho:      ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme does not help to improve

the educational system in Enugu state.

1.7       DEFINITION OS TERMS

            The conceptual and operational definition of terms in the study.

1.         ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme:   

Conceptual Definition:       programmes that imparts

knowledge on the people through the radio medium. 

Operational Definition:       Polytechnic on air through Enugu

state broadcasting service, which helps non-regular

students and workers to be educated.

2.         EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM:

            Conceptual Definition:       Standardized systematic training

and Instructions, usually intellectual and moral training.

3.         OPERATIONAL Definition:            Ordered set of ideas and effort that are made to impart knowledge through the academic and non-academic process, usually to develop characters and mental powers.

4.         ENUGU STATE:

            Conceptual Definition:       organized political community with

its apparatus of government, such a community forming

part of the Federal Republic.

Operational Definition:       The regional capital of the former Eastern Nigeria and currently Enugu state capital

1.8       ASSUMPTIONS

            In carrying out the study, the following assumptions were made..

i.              That people who composed the sample instead to the radio,

ii.            That ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programmes was effecting in improving educational system for both old and young, rich and poor in the state.

iii.           Previous study has been carried out on this topic, thus some research works were gathered.

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