R.O. OLUBOR

This study examined the influence of sound office and record management on school administration in public secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The purpose of the study was to explore the significance and role of effective office and record management in the administration of secondary schools, with particular attention to teachers in the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Four research questions were raised. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 400 teachers and a sample of 80 teachers was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Office and Record Management Practices Questionnaire (ORMPQ), which was validated by experts in Educational Administration and Measurement and Evaluation. The findings revealed that sound office management positively influences administrative effectiveness through improved communication, information flow, and coordination of activities. School location was also found to influence record management practices, with urban schools demonstrating relatively better practices than rural schools. Major challenges identified included poor filing systems, inadequate office facilities, insufficient record-keeping materials, and inadequate staff training. Based on the findings of the analysis, the following recommendation were made: among other things, that government should provide adequate funding for record management facilities, that school administrators should enforce clear record management policies, and that regular training programmes should be organised for teachers on modern office and record management techniques.

This study investigated integrating of technology into early childhood preschool classroom in Oredo Local Government Area. The study also sought to find out if there any difference in the level integrating technology into preschool classrooms in Oredo local Government Area based on school location, ownership and teachers’ qualification. Five research questions were raised. Two were answered directly while three were hypothsized and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
The research adopted a descriptive survey design involving 60 preschool teachers selected through multi-stage sampling from both public and private early childhood education centers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled "Technology Integration in Early Childhood Education Questionnaire (TIECEQ)" and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Independent sample t-test). Findings revealed that technology is integrated to a high degree in preschool classrooms, with interactive whiteboards, tablets, and educational software being most frequently utilized. However, tools such as headphones, smartphones, and audio equipment were moderately used. The study found no significant differences in technology integration based on school location, ownership type, or teachers' qualifications. Based on the findings the following recommendations were made: The identified technology identified in this study should be well integrated in early childhood classrooms because they have their various roles in the development of the child. In addition, school, should endeavour to source funds to procure these technologies from non governmental organisations and philanthropists.

This study examined the level of art activities and pupils’ participation in kindergarten classrooms in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The study also sought to find out if there is any significant difference in the level of art activities in kindergarten classrooms based on the location, age and ownership of the schools. Five research questions were raised. Two were answered while three were formulated into hypotheses and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design the population consisted of all teachers of kindergarten classrooms in Oredo local government area. 48 teachers formed the sample for the study. They were selected through convenience sampling technique. A checklist was designed to elicit information on art activities in kindergarten classrooms. Data collected were analysed using mean standard deviation and independent sample t-test. The following findings were made: Drawing with a mean score of (4.65), Painting (4.10), colouring (4.08) and collage (3.35) are the prevalent art activities in kindergarten classrooms in Oredo Local Government Area. Drawing was rated at a very high level of art activities, painting and colouring were rated high and collage was rated moderate in the level of art activities in kindergarten classrooms. There is no significant difference in the level of art activities in kindergarten classrooms based on location, age of the school and ownership of the schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that stakeholders in early childhood education, including government agencies, school proprietors, and teachers, should prioritize the integration of diverse art activities into the kindergarten curriculum through improved teacher training, adequate provision of instructional materials, and effective monitoring of classroom practices. In addition art activities should be more frequent in kindergarten classrooms because of it's inherent benefit to the pupils.

This study investigated the level of utilization of science facilities in Early childhood education (ECE) classrooms in Oredo Local Government area, Edo State. The study also sought to find out the extent to which science facilities were available in ECE classrooms in Oredo Local Government Area. The differences in the level of utilization of science facilities based on location, categories of teachers, and ownership of schools were areas of interest in this work. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. Two research questions were answered while three
were formulated into hypotheses and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. 175 teachers formed the sample of the study. The instrument titled “The level of availability of science facilities in ECE classrooms” was a self designed checklist by the researcher to collect data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and independent sample t-test. The following were among the findings: The majority of science facilities are highly available in Early Childhood Education (ECE) classrooms in Oredo Local Government Area, the level of utilization was at least once a month, there were no significant differences in the level of utilization of science facilities in early childhood classrooms in Oredo Local Government Area based on location, categories of teachers and ownership of schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the number of utilization should be increased to once a week. Science is very vital in the life of a human being and it plays a crucial role in the development and understanding of the world. Once in a month is not adequate for science experience because it may not be sufficient to foster a deep and lasting appreciation for the subject. To enhance a child’s engagement in science activities, it is beneficial to increase the frequency of the utilization to at least once a week so that the child gets used to science activities.

This study investigated parental academic status and pupils' academic performance in kindergarten in Oredo Local
Government area, Edo State. The study also sought to find out if there is any relationship between parental academic status and pupils academic performance in kindergarten in Oredo Local Government Area. The difference in relationship between the parental academic status and pupils' academic performance in kindergarten based on location was also an area of interest in this study. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. Two were answered while two were formulated into hypotheses and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. 6 schools formed the sample of the study. The instrument titled “ parental academic status and pupils' academic performance in kindergarten” was a self designed checklist by the researcher to collect data for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson r, and Fischer- Z statistics. The following were among the findings: There is difference in educational attainment between fathers and mothers, Kindergarten pupils in Oredo Local Government Area performed well in various subjects, and their overall academic performance was considered high based on the grand mean score of 81.5. There is no significant relationship between parental academic status and pupils’ performance in kindergarten in Oredo local government area. There is no significant difference in the relationship between parental academic status and pupils’ performance in kindergarten in Oredo local government area based on location of school. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that one of the findings of the study is that fathers are better educated than mothers. This shows the need for society to educate its daughters bearing in mind the closeness and influence of mothers on their young children.