PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN BUSINESS EDUCATION

Abstract

Serious complaints from employers of labour concerning the quality of business education graduates informed the decision of the researcher to examine the prospects and challenges of curriculum development in Business Education. The study adopted the descriptive research design while the population consisted of 300 business educators across 12 government-owned colleges of education in Northwest Nigeria. The sample comprised 170 business educators. A structure questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in business education from the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The reliability test for the instrument yielded a coefficient of 0.76,, using the Cronbach Alpha formula. Copies of the instrument were administered on the respondents physically and through e-mails. The data gathered were analyzed using percentages, frequency tables, means, standard deviation and t-test statistics. Findings of the study revealed that bridging the gap between theory and practice, responsiveness to technological changes as well as responsiveness to industry and society needs are some of the prospects of curriculum development in Business Education. The study also revealed that politicization, resistance to change and inadequate funding are some of the challenges of curriculum development in Business Education. Finally, the study recommended among other the regular and up-to-date review of Business Education Curriculum.

Keywords: Business Education, Curriculum Development, Prospects, Challenges, 21st Century Skills.