Oyaziwo Aluede

Assessing Nigerian university students knowledge about HIV / AIDS.

Abstract The HIV/AIDS knowledge survey was carried out among Nigerian university students to assess their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. A total of 900 undergraduates of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria participated in the study. They consisted of 520 male students and 380 female students within the age bracket of 18years and 40 years (M= 20.62, SD=2.28). The main finding of the study indicated that current students have a highly favourable knowledge about HIV/AIDS. To this end, HIV/AIDS interventions that college counsellors could adopt to sustain this trend were advocated.

Secondary Schools Student's Perception of Examination Malpractices and Examination Ethics

Abstract Secondary school students’ perceptions of examination malpractices and examination ethics were assessed. The participants were drawn from Secondary Schools in the Benin Metropolis of Nigeria. The study revealed that majority of the students believed that their indulgence in examination malpractice was a common occurrence, which will be difficult to eradicate. Parents, teachers and school principals were found to encourage cheating in examinations. The study also revealed that majority of the students had a very wrong notion about examination ethics; believing that examination ethics entail among others sitting next to someone in order to copy from his/her paper in the examination hall. In all, counselling intervention strategies such as, school counsellors partnering with the school authorities and students to set up examination ethics clubs that will teach the virtues of hardwork; school counsellors partnering with parents/teachers association and other significant others on strategies that would help to inculcate in them the virtues of “responsibility” were advocated.

The Teacher Matters: Strategies for Making the Teaching Profession More Relevant in Nigerian Educational System

Abstract This paper is premised on the fact that education is an instrument for social change. It is the only known weapon that can combat poverty. In this regard, this paper examined the concepts of education and teaching, the importance and the usefulness of teachers. It also provided strategies for making teachers more relevant in teacher education and teaching profession. These strategies include: reviewing the existing teacher education programmes to emphasize how to teach, which can be achieved by replacing the already existing six weeks teaching practice exercise with internship of one-year duration. The paper further recommended the establishment of licensure and credentialing board and the need to propose a bill before the National Assembly to regulate the practice of teaching. In addition, the paper recommended the revision of the curricula of teacher education programmes in Nigerian Universities or Colleges of Education, to align them with the mission and vision of the primary and secondary schools

Student Unrest in Nigerian Universities: Looking Back and Forward

Abstract The authors examined the policies and factors that have in the past and at the present precipitated student unrest in Nigerian university campuses. Predictions about the policies that are likely to produce student protest in Nigerian university campuses in the near future are advanced.

Psychological Maltreatment of Students: A Form of Child Abuse and School Violence

Abstract This paper examines psychological maltreatment of students by their teachers. Attention was drawn to teachers’ behaviours that constitute psychological maltreatment, and the consequences of psychological maltreatment on students’ social, behavioural and psychological patterns. In addition, counselling advocacies are suggested, which we hope school counsellors may adopt in bringing the public to awareness of the dangers of psychological maltreatment of students; and also some strategies that school counsellors may adopt in developing human relations skills that would help teachers turn away from psychological maltreatment of students.

A Pilot Study of the Attitude of Nigerian University Students Towards Female Genital Mutilation

Abstract This study investigated the attitude of undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria towards female genitalmutilation (FGM). The sample for the study made up of 180 undergraduates of the university of Ibadan, Nigeria. The questionnairewas used in eliciting information from the participants drawn from all the faculties of the university. Results indicated that studentsdid not on the basis of sex and religion differ in their attitude towards female genital mutilation. However, a significant differenceexisted in their attitude on the basis of educational background and level of awareness. Based on these findings, the need tointensify enlightenment campaigns in Nigerian universities was emphasized.

Analysis of the Use, Dependence and Source of Knowledge of Stimulants among Nigerian University Undergraduates

Abstract This study surveyed undergraduates’ use, dependence and source of knowledge of stimulants at the University of Benin. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select eight hundred (800) students for the study. The findings revealed that the Nigerian undergraduates surveyed rarely use or depend on stimulants. Though, a small segment of the students revealed that they have been taking cola nuts and caffeine for a long time, majority of the students report that they hardly sustained the length of use of stimulants. Also, majority of the sampled undergraduates (64.4%) reported that it was from their peers they derived their source of knowledge of stimulants. Furthermore, the study also revealed that there was no significant difference between male and female university undergraduates in their knowledge of the use of stimulants (t= 1.82, df= 792, p< .05). Also, the study revealed no significant difference between male and female university undergraduates on their knowledge of the use of Amphetamine, Cocaine, Cola nuts and Tobacco. However, there was a significant difference between male and female university undergraduates on the knowledge of the use of caffeine (t= 2.46, df= 794, p< .05). The findings also revealed that there was a significant difference in the knowledge of use of stimulants among undergraduate students of different faculties (F= (3/793) = 12.69, p< .05). Based on the findings of this study, intervention strategies that include the use of aggressive and persuasive counselling on the students as a means to reducing the use and consumption of stimulants were advocated.

Analysis of the Variables that Predispose Adolescents to Dropout of Schools

The study investigated the variables that predispose adolescents to drop out of school. The sample for the study was made up of 350 participants drawn from the adolescent school dropouts in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State of Nigeria. From the analysis of data, it was found that the following factors predispose students to drop out of schools: financial, home, societal values and personal characteristics of the adolescents. However, peer influence and school factors were found not to predispose adolescents to drop out.

Peer Victimization in Campus Secret Cults: Response from Nigerian University Undergraduates

Abstract This investigation examined the possible individual behavioural patterns, and the behavioural and social risks as they relate to victimization by cult members in order for the victims to obtain membership. Ninety-two (92) students of Ambrose Alli University (both renounced and current members of campus secret cults) participated in the study. Four hypotheses were tested. Results indicated that students who perceived being harassed by their lecturers easily fall prey to victimization by cult members. Results also show that there was no significant difference between males and females in acquiring membership of a cult through bullying and victimization. Friends were found to be vessels through which victimization is visited on unsuspecting students. Undergraduates who externalize their problems, prone to anxiety, depression, and have low self-esteem were found to easily fall prey to victimization by cult groups.

Policy, Capacity Building and School-Based Counselling in Nigeria

School-based counselling is indispensable in the educational system of any nation. It is the arm of education that develops and sustains students’ academic, vocational and personal-social needs. For first-hand information on how school-based counselling has grown in Nigeria, it becomes imperative to examine the policies made about it and to what extent these policies have influenced counselling in Nigeria. The authors therefore succinctly investigated the history and policy, challenges, crisis and problems, summary and evaluation of research policy and impact of capacity building on school-based counselling. The authors also pointed out the future outlook of school-based counselling in Nigeria and concluded that policies on school-based counselling rarely exist in Nigeria. The dearth has obviously affected the training, retraining, practice and future direction of school-based counselling in Nigeria. They agreed that concerted efforts need to be made by stakeholders, which include government at all levels to ensure that existing policies on school-based counselling are strengthened and new ones are promulgated, that would positively affect school-based counselling practices in Nigeria.