SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AS CORRELATE OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IMO STATE

Abstract

In this study, the researchers examined surveillance systems and emergency response plans as correlate of educational resources management in secondary schools in Imo State. Two research questions were posed and two corresponding hypotheses were formulated at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the correlational research design. The population of the study is 6,566 teachers in 296 public senior secondary schools in Imo State. A sample of 328 teachers was drawn from 15 selected schools in the study area which represented 5 per cent of the entire population using proportionate random sampling technique. Two researchers’ made rating scales titled “Surveillance Systems and Emergency Response Plans Scale (SSERPS) and Educational Resources Management Scale (ERMS) were used as method of data collection. The scales contained 20 items for SSERPS and 15 items for ERMS using the 4 point Likert scale of Strongly Agreed (SA), Agreed (A), Disagreed (D) and Strongly Disagreed (SD). These instruments were validated by 2 research experts from Educational Measurement and Evaluation and 3 research experts from Department of Social Science Education, all in Imo State University, Owerri. Reliability coefficients of 0.81 for SSERPS and 0.85 for ERMS were obtained using Cronbach Alpha statistics. Research questions were answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) while the hypotheses were tested using t-test of the significance of Pearson “r”. The result revealed that surveillance systems and emergency response plans have substantial, positive and significant coefficient of relationship with educational resources management in secondary schools in Imo State. It was concluded that surveillance systems and emergency response plans can be effectively used to enhance security, prevent theft and vandalism, and ensure prompt response to emergencies, thereby protecting educational resources and promoting a safe learning environment in schools. It was recommended that principals should invest in installing and maintaining surveillance systems and regularly update and drill comprehensive emergency response plans in order to ensure effective management and protection of educational resources.