Assessment of Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the Effectiveness of the Technical Colleges’ Curriculum in Addressing Societal Needs in Gombe State

Abstract

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, globalization, and evolving labor markets, aligning educational systems with the needs of society and industry has become increasingly urgent. However, the alignment of technical college curricula with these evolving demands remains a contentious issue, particularly in regions such as Gombe State. This challenge is exacerbated by concerns about the quality of education, outdated teaching methods, and the relevance of curricula to contemporary industry practices. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of technical colleges' curricula in Gombe State from the perspectives of various stakeholders. Understanding their views is crucial for identifying gaps in the curriculum and proposing potential improvements. Key issues driving this study include systemic challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of modern educational tools, and large teacher-student ratios. Teachers and administrators report that the curriculum is inflexible and outdated, limiting students' ability to acquire essential, up-to-date skills. On the other hand, industry professionals argue that many technical college graduates are insufficiently prepared for the workforce due to a lack of emphasis on hands-on training and contemporary technologies. This study was guided by two main objectives, two research questions, and one hypothesis. A descriptive survey research design was employed, with a total population of 170 participants and a sample size of 130 respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire, whose reliability was confirmed with a split-half coefficient of 0.75. Data analysis was conducted using mean, standard deviation, and t-test with a significance level of 0.05 via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The findings indicate that most educators believe the curriculum adequately prepares students for societal challenges and the workforce. However, there is a clear need to strengthen areas like problem-solving and addressing global challenges. Furthermore, the t-test results show no significant difference in the perspectives of educators and industry professionals regarding the effectiveness of the current technical college curriculum in meeting societal needs.