ENHANCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS FOR NATION BUILDING THROUGH QUALITY EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study investigated ways of enhancing the implementation of sustainable development goals for nation building through quality education systems in Cross River State, Nigeria. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A survey research design was adopted and it was conducted in Cross River State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 6000 educators which consisted of primary school and secondary school teachers and tertiary institution lecturers in Cross River State. A sample size of 384 educators comprising 128 primary school teachers, 128 secondary school teachers and 128 tertiary institution lecturers in Cross River State, Nigeria were selected using accidental sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection and it was face validated by three lecturers in University of Calabar, Cronbach alpha reliability method was used to ascertain the internal consistency of the instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.83 was obtained. Data collection was carried out by the researcher and three research assistants. Mean, standard deviation and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data collected. The findings identified fourteen (14) challenges hindering the effective implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Cross River State, Nigeria. The findings also found thirteen (13) ways quality education systems can enhance the effective implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Cross River State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was concluded that improving the quality of education system in Cross River State and Nigeria at large is varietal for effective implementation and actualization of SDGs and ensuring nation building. The study recommended, among others, that Cross River State and Nigeria government should prioritize education system especially in the area of funding, infrastructural development, training and retraining of teachers.