CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Radio
has a long and productive history in development, particularly in non-formal
education related to other development sectors such as health and agriculture.
It has a less convincing history in service to formal education.There are a
number of reasons for its mixed performance. In many instances, radio was
inadequately planned for and inexpertly used as amedium. In others, it was seen as mere
window-dressing for the more substantial content of courses.
Research
project using radio as the major medium of instruction suggest that a more
intensive use of radio results in both better radio and better instruction.
Radio’s strengths and its cost-effectiveness can be used effectively to meet
expanding educational needs in developing countrieswithout a loss in the quality of
education.
According Butcher (2003)
“radio has been used in education ever since it became available”. Pennycuick
(1993), of the Centre for International Education at the University of Sussex,
states a bit more specifically that interactive radio instruction (IRI) is
characterized by “highly coordinated” instructional materials and delivery
strategies, and includes elements of active participation on the part of the
students. He goes on to say that IRI “is effective, is cost-effective, and
teachers are enthusiastic about it” (Pennycuick, 1993).
In support of this, the South African Institute for Distance
Education (2004) stated that “radio remains the key media to which most rural
people have access” and that educational radio initiatives in South Africa were
“effective in providing topical programmes and reaching large numbers of
learners rapidly”. Going further, they state that “the impact of the radio
programmes was greater when used with other text-based materials, such as
posters and comics”.
In
response to the educational needs of rural poor populations throughout the developing
world, there are several large-scale operations conducting radio education
projects. The Freeplay Foundation, the developers of the Lifeline
Wind-up/Solar-Powered Radio, “is committed to …ensuring sustained access to
information and education via radio” (Freeplay Foundation, n.d.). According to
the Freeplay Foundation’s website, “radio is the primary medium of
communication in developing countries, where most people live below the poverty
line (and), therefore, is the lifeline of information.” In support of its
goals, the Free play Foundation has distributed radios in countries as diverse
as Afghanistan, Indonesia and Zambia, among others. As part of this process,
the Free play Foundation “collaborates with in-country non-governmental
organisation (NGOs), government ministries, international organisation and
broadcasters to ensure radio information and education reaches the widest
possible rural populations.” In order to do this, the foundation works with
international and local broadcasters to assure that the content is appropriate.
In addition, the foundation works with local populations to facilitate the
creation of listening groups, distributing radios, and evaluating the impact of
the programming. Therefore, this study focuses on the analysis of the roles of
radio in improving the educational system in Lagos state.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
The
need for improving the educational system in Lagos cannot be overemphasized and
the role of radio in making this possible has not be felt. The mass media is
expected to play an important role in improving the educational system in the
society but over the years the reverse has been the case. Most of the unruly
acts carried out by most students were learnt from the mass media. The case of
robbery, truancy, theft, rape, pickpocket and other crimes have been traced to
the exposure of youths to mass media.
Although
successful in many conformal situations, radio has not always lived up to
expectations as an instructional medium. Where it has been used as a substitutefor
classroom instruction or even as augmentation of classroom instruction, it has
often been found lacking and, in many cases, has beenabandoned.
McAnany (1973) points out a number of instructional radio’s constraints and
suggests some reasons for the failure of projects to provideconvincing
evidence of radio’s effectiveness. The failures are generally not the fault of
radioas
a medium, and the interest in radio’s potential for this paper examines very
instruction in developing countries remains high.
Introduction
of educational radio is expected to help improve the educational system in the
society but the cost implication of realizing this has made it almost
impossible. Most families find it very difficult to procure an educational
radio in order to educate every member of the family. These problems make it
glaring that there is a need to carry out an analysis of the roles of radio in
improving the educational system in Lagos state.
1.3 Objectives
of the Study
The
general objective of this study is carry out an analysis of the roles of radio
in improving the educational system in Lagos state, using Ikorodu LGA as a case
study. The specific objectives are:
1. To
find out the level of accessibility of students to radio programs in Ikorodu
LGA of Lagos state.
2. To
ascertain if there are educational programs on Radio stations.
3. To
find out if the public truly appreciate the radio programme on its efforts of
educating the masses.
4. To
determine if radio stations influence the perception of students towards achieving
academic excellence.
5. To
ascertain the extent to which the programme has improved human life 1especially
amongst the youths in the areas of comprehension and speaking abilities,
behavior and character.
1.4 Research
Questions
The
relevant research questions related to this study are:
1. What
is the level of accessibility of students to radio programs in Ikorodu LGA of
Lagos state?
2. Are
there educational programs on Radio stations?
3. Does
the public truly appreciate the radio programme on its efforts of educating the
masses?
4. Do
radio stations influence the perception of students towards achieving academic
excellence?
5. What
is the extent to which the programme has improved human life especially amongst
the youths in the areas of comprehension and speaking abilities, behavior and
character?
1.5 Significance of the 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 opportune, to enroll into various Institutions
of learning.
The
result of the study will help to find other ways of improving the programme and
educating the masses.
This study will enhance the existing
body of literature by contemplating the areas of the literature that have not
yet been examined or considered and incorporating these factors into the
current study. The study will thus form the basis for further studies in the
field.
1.6 Scope
of the Study
The
scope of this study is restricted to the analysis of the roles
of radio in improving the educational system in Lagos state. Ikorodu local government area is used as a
case study for the purpose of this study.
1.7 Limitation
of the Study
Some of the major constraints the researchers encountered
in putting up this research include lack of time, lack of willingness to give
information by respondent and also limited resources.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Radio:
the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves of radio frequency,
especially those carrying sound messages.
Education
system: generally refers to
public schooling, not private schooling, and more commonly to kindergarten
through high school programs.
Educational
radio is the first
electronic medium educators used to teach at a distance.