Dr Iniobong Ekong Nkang & Dr Ukeme Ekpedeme Umoh
Abstract
This article examines the extent to which the Free and Compulsory Basic Education Programme of the Akwa Ibom State Government meets minimum global best practices. The population for the study consisted of all heads of public primary and principals of public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, totalling 1,376. The stratified sampling technique was used in drawing a sample of 274 respondents for the study. Two research questions and two null hypotheses directed the study. “Best Practices in Implementation of Basic Education Questionnaire (BPIBEQ) was developed and used for data collection. The instrument was duly validated, and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha, with a reliability coefficient of 0.87. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics while the independent t-test was used in testing the null hypothesis at the .05 alpha level. Findings revealed, among others, a low extent in the provision of basic quality assurance measures and funding in the implementation of the free and compulsory basic education programme in the state. Based on these findings, relevant implications were discussed and recommendations made for the improvement of the programme in line with global best practices.