Extent of utilization of In-service education and funding measures for promoting skill acquisition in business education in tertiary institutions in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract This study determined the extent of utilization of in-service education and funding measures for promoting skill acquisition in business education in tertiary institutions in South-East, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 254 business educators in business education in tertiary institutions in South-East, Nigeria. Data were collected using 18-item structured questionnaire validated by two experts in business education. The instrument had an overall reliability coefficient of 0.84, established using Cronbach’s alpha. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test was employed to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that in-service education measures were utilized to a high extent, while funding measures were utilized to a low extent. The findings of the study revealed among others that there was no significant difference between universities and colleges of education in the utilization of in-service education measures. The study concluded that inadequate funding could constrain effective practical instruction and skill acquisition. It recommended sustained professional development, increased funding and diversification of funding sources to enhance skill acquisition in business education. Keywords: In-service education, funding measures, skill acquisition, business education, tertiary institutions