Educational Reform as an Instrument for Improving Access to Education

Abstract

Educational reform as one of the policies and priorities of the government evolved in  response to the belief that education is an instrument of national development. This paper  examined educational reform as an instrument of improving access to tertiary education  with specific focus on selected tertiary institutions in Kaduna state. The problem  investigated in this paper revolves around wither or not funding component of  educational reform improve access to tertiary education as well as challenges of increase  access to a tertiary education. The pertinent questions raised in the study include to what  extent does funding component of educational reform improve access to education? And  what constitute the challenges of increase access to education? The specific objectives of  the study include: determining the extent to which funding improves access to tertiary  education as well as examining challenges of increase access. The survey research  design was employed in the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary  sources using questionnaires books and other publications as tools. The target  population of the study is 46,930 while the sample size is 397. Data were analyzed using  both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The SPSS package was used in the  operation of chi-squire X2 statistics to test the formulated hypothesis on the relationship  between funding and improve access to education. The study revealed that education  reform has not impacted on access due to numerous challenges that includes problem of  carrying capacity inadequate infrastructure and funding. It was therefore recommended  that for improving level of funding government should increase budgetary allocation and  ensure prompt disbursement. To reduce challenges, it was recommended that financial  waste should be avoided, downsizing of support staff to optimal levels (NUC  benchmarks/ratios) should be encouraged.