Nkedishu Victor Chukwubueze

This study investigated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of secondary education in Delta State, with a particular focus on its implications for educational administration. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits and challenges of AI in future of secondary education in Delta State. To address this, three research questions and hypotheses were raised and formulated. Using the quantitative research approach of the ex-post-facto research design. Stratified sampling method was used to sample 191 school administrators, representing 40% of the population of 477 government schools in Delta State. A carefully designed, 24-item questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents. Mean, standard deviation, graphical representation, and t-test were employed to answer research questions and formulate hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. Findings reveal that implementing AI in education offers prospective advantages. Ethical considerations arising from AI integration encompass potential biases in decision-making, among others. We also discovered that effective AI implementation is associated with critical issues. The findings shed light on the perceptions and beliefs of school administrators regarding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. There is an urgent need to develop and implement a comprehensive state-wide plan for the integration of AI in education.

This paper examined unpacking optimism versus concern: tertiary students’ multidimensional views on the rise of AI. The study was guided by four research questions and hypotheses respectively. Ex-Post-Facto using descriptive survey method was employed in the study. The study population consists of 29,000 undergraduate students of Delta State University, from which a stratified sampling technique was used to sample 398 respondents. The questionnaire titled, “Tertiary Students’ Multidimensional Views on the Rise of AI Questionnaire (TSMVRAIQ)” was validated through face and content validity. Data were analysed using means and standard deviations for research questions while hypotheses were tested using a t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a significant level of 0.05. The study found that university students from various disciplines view AI as a significant opportunity to advance educational research, enable personalized learning, and enhance data analysis accuracy. Students believe AI will positively impact society, lead to technological advancements, and benefit all demographics equally. AI literacy significantly influences students’ perceptions of AI’s social impact, driven by factors such as personal interest and engagement. Also, Students demonstrated proactive thinking and a desire for active university involvement in shaping AI development. It was thus recommended that Universities should create dedicated AI research centers that foster interdisciplinary collaboration. These centers could organize regular workshops, seminars, and hands-on projects that bring together students from various disciplines to work on AI-related challenges.

This study examined funding patterns and financial management practices in public and private secondary schools, Delta State, Nigeria. This study is a descriptive survey of the ex-post-facto research design. The study population consists of two thousand and nine (2009) principals in public and private secondary schools in Delta State. Using stratification sampling technique 248 principals representing 12.3% of the entire population were sampled. A self-developed questionnaire with the title Funding Patterns and Management Practices Questionnaire (FPMPQ) was utilized for the study. Mean rating and SD were used to answer research questions why hypotheses were tested using t-test at 0.05 significance level. Finding revealed that public schools tend to rely on government funding, while private schools heavily depend on tuition fees. Both types of schools receive support from individual and corporate donors, engage in fundraising activities, and benefit from parent-teacher associations. Special education funding and student activity fees are also important sources of funding for both public and private schools. It was also found that both public and private schools employ budgeting, financial forecasting, expense control, financial reporting, internal auditing, revenue generation, and cash flow management as financial management practices, with general agreement. Accordingly, it was recommended that both public and private schools should prioritize building strong financial management capabilities. This includes training staff members responsible for financial management on budgeting, financial forecasting, expense control, financial reporting, internal auditing, revenue generation, and cash flow management.

The study investigates the gender disparities in leadership positions within Nigerian universities, focusing on principal officers such as Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Bursars, and Librarians. Analyzing data from the 2019 Nigerian University System Statistical Digest. The study employs ANOVA statistics to establish the statistical significance of these disparities and highlights the need for targeted interventions to rectify these imbalances. The research reveals striking imbalances in gender representation across these roles. The findings demonstrate that, despite notable progress in some areas, women remain significantly underrepresented in key leadership positions, with a pronounced gender gap persisting across various types of universities (federal, state, and private). The recommendations offered encompass gender-neutral selection processes, affirmative action policies, leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, educational campaigns, and regular data collection to promote gender equity. These proposed strategies aim to create a more inclusive academic environment where leadership positions are accessible to all based on qualifications and merit, ultimately fostering diversity and enriching the higher education landscape in Nigeria.