Perceptions of Vocational and Technical Educational Development in the Niger Delta Region: Implications on Pipeline Vandalism and Illegal Oil Refining in Urbanizing Port Harcourt and Environs.
Abstract
In the Niger Delta Region, urbanization is marked by an increase in crime, cultism, robbery, abduction, homicides, drug addiction, restiveness, pipeline vandalism, illicit refining, and other social vices, particularly among jobless youths. This study investigated the effects of vocational-technical education on youth empowerment in the region, with the goal of eliminating pipeline vandalism and illegal oil refining, thereby discouraging the exploitation of youths by influential individuals to perpetrate crimes such as kidnapping for money and rituals. A descriptive research design was adopted to achieve this objective. The study was guided by four research questions and corresponding hypotheses. A total of 6,003 youths from 12 public vocational-technical schools participated in the study. From this population, a sample of 400 youths was selected using the Taro Yamane formula for sampling distribution. Data were collected using a self-developed instrument titled Vocational-Technical Education for Youths Empowerment Scale (VTEYES). The instrument’s face and content validity were confirmed, and its reliability was tested using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding a dependability coefficient of 0.72. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to answer the research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested using the z-test at a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). The study found that vocational-technical education contributes significantly to economic development, skill acquisition, and job creation in Rivers State. Although it may not directly result in poverty reduction, it has the potential to eradicate pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities in Port Harcourt and its environs. The study recommends, among other things, the compulsory provision of facilities for vocational-technical schools, increased funding, and effective policy implementation.
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