University Matriculation Entrance Examination Scores in Chemistry as Predictors of Achievement in Chemistry based Courses in Public Universities in Enugu State

ABSTRACT  

The over the lapses noticed in the of examinations and the process of admission of into Nigerian Universities through University Matriculation Examination (UME) necessitated the call for the introduction of post-UME (PUME).

Certain problems were found to be associated with these processes such as content coverage, variation in question type and , admission through quota system, peculiarities of different Universities.

The evident in the validity and uniformity of admission criteria called for empirical investigation of the predictive validities of UME, PUME and combined UME/PUME chemistry scores used for admission into chemistry-based programmes in public Universities.

The study was guided by four research questions and four hypotheses. The design of the study was correlational.

Multistage sampling technique, were used to select a total of 1370 students that sat for UME and PUME and admitted into the public universities in Enugu State, in 10, departments from 20, chemistry-based faculties, used for the study.

Records on performances of students in the examination were obtained from departmental admission lists and the students’ records of their various universities.

The stepwise multiple regression technique was used for the data analysis. The correlation coefficients were tested for significance using F-test at 0.05% level of significance.

The study revealed among others that: In federal University, UME score did not predict students’ first year result in all the courses in public Universities except in Industrial chemistry (R2 =0.14) in Federal University, where weak relationship was recorded. 

INTRODUCTION  

Higher education in Nigeria began effectively in 1948 with the establishment of University College at Ibadan, as a campus of University of London.

Thereafter, five others were established, between 1948 and 1974, owing to the recommendation of Ashby Commission set up to study the needs for university education in Nigeria [Sojo, Adeniran and Samaila, (1992)].

These are regarded as first generation Universities, which include: University of Nigeria Nsukka, the first indigenous and autonomous (1960), followed by the Universities of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo, Lagos, Zaria, an autonomous University at Ibadan all in (1962) and Benin (1970).

The second generation universities were established between 1970 and 1976, due to the increasing population of qualified students, and the need for the scientific and technological development.

These are Universities of Calabar, Jos, Maiduguri, Kano, Illorin, Sokoto and Portharcourt. Between 1979 and1984, eight state and seven federal universities of technology known as third generation universities,

emerged out of the need to address the country’s special needs of technological and agricultural demands [Emevon, (1989), Sojo et al, (1992) and Huntar, (2003)].

The first State University of Technology to be established was Enugu State University of Science and Technology formerly known as Anambra State University of Science and Technology in 1979.

Other State- and privately-owned universities were also established following the pressures from qualified students from each state, who could not get admission to any of the federal universities and also, the need to encourage private participations in the university education. 

REFERENCES

Abadon G.N. (1976). The Relationship Between WASC Grades and Performance at the University with Reference to Science Education Students. Unpublished B.ed Thesis, Nsukka, University of Nigeria.

Abdulahi, A. (1982). Science Teaching In Nigeria. Ilorin: Atoto press: 14–15. Abdulkadir, I. A. (1993). Establishment of Private Universities. University System News3(2), 6-11.

Abdulkadir, I. A. (1993). The Nigerian University System At The Receiving of National Socio-Political and Economic Instability: A Paper Delivered at Annual Lecture ofThe National Institute Kuru, Plateau State. University System News, 3 (4), p. 4.

Abdulkadir, I. (1988). Supplement on National University Commission: 25 years of University Education in Nigeria. Newswatch, March 7, Vol. 7, No. 10

Abdulrahman, M. C. (1992). The JAMB Chief: Newswatch, Nov. 30, pp. 44-49.

Abdulrahman, M. S. (1992). Our Educational Problems: Newswatch, Nov. 30, 44 – 49.

Aboma, O. (2009). Predicting First Year University Students’ Academic Success. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 7 (3), 1053
–1072.2009(no) ISSN: 1696-2095

Adamu, B. & Osaren, S. B. (1989). Panel on Nigeria Since Independence. in Tekano, N.And Atanda, J. (eds), Nigeria Since Independence, The First 25 Years. Vol.iii, pp. 267 – 279.

StudentsandScholarship Team.