INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR MANAGING SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THE ERA OF PANDEMIC: A CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • U. J. Nwogu Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  • Mary Nelson Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i8.4939

Keywords:

innovative approaches, social capital, public secondary school, pandemic

Abstract

This study examined innovative approaches for managing social capital in Public Junior Secondary Schools in the era of the pandemic in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions and two (2) hypotheses were postulated to guide this study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised all the Public Junior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. A sample of 378 respondents representing 56% of the population, served as the study respondents. This sample was selected using the stratified random sampling technique. A validated Likert-modified 4-scale 16-item instrument titled: ‘Innovative approaches for managing social capital in Public Junior Secondary Schools in the era of pandemic questionnaire (IAMSCPJSSEPQ)’ was used for data collection and its reliability coefficient was established at 0.80 and 0.85 using the Cronbach Alpha Correlation coefficient. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the research questions while the z-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of this study revealed that understanding the context and responding rapidly to all identified concerns by creating and intensifying attendance monitoring processes for all students; building and strengthening relationships for learning by adopting teaching methods relevant during the era of the Covid-19 pandemic are some innovative approaches for managing social capital in Public Junior Secondary Schools in the era of pandemic in Rivers State, Nigeria. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that Rivers State government should endeavour to champion the course of initiating proactive innovative approaches for principals, vice principals and teachers of Public Junior Secondary Schools, aimed at managing social capital with regard to the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the learning activities and relationships in Public Schools in Rivers State.

 

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Author Biographies

  • U. J. Nwogu, Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Prof. Nwogu Uzoma Jonah is a seasoned Educationist and researcher. He rose from the rank and file of the Education industry having served with the Rivers State Post Primary Education Board where he rose to the rank of Principal Grade 1 before joining the University of Port Harcourt. At the University of Port Harcourt, he has served in many capacities: Coordinator, Departmental Graduate Programme, Director, School of General Studies, Uniport, amongst others. He has to his credit over 70 academic publications. He is a professor of Educational Management with the Department of Educational Management, University of Port Harcourt.

  • Mary Nelson, Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Nelson Mary is an African researcher that hails from Nigeria, she is a Principal Executive Officer at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, she holds a masters’ degree in educational management and currently pursuing her doctorate in the same field, her research interest lies in sustainable development, social impact, productivity, etc. Nelson has participated in various conferences, workshops, seminars, initiatives, and humanitarian acts that were geared toward adding value to humanity and solving issues within the educational field. Nelson belongs to various academic platforms such as; academia (http://uniport-computerscience.academia.edu/), she is passionate about leading social impact projects, lending a voice to global issues, and making informed decisions that will change perspectives of cultures and usher in new ways of thinking. She looks forward to working with scholars in her line of interest to arrive at innovative ideas.

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Published

2023-07-14

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 8 (2023)

Section

Articles

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