Don harps on motivation of workers, funding as way out of frequent strike in tertiary institutions
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
A Professor of Educational Management with Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Prof Omolade Oluwatoyin Akinsanya has identified lack of motivation for workers, poor service condition and inadequate funding as the major factors oiling frequent strikes and closure of government-owned educational institutions in the country.
Prof Omolade Akinsanya disclosed that except government addresses this yawning gaps, the much desired industrial harmony in the education sector, especially among the higher institutions would be a mirage leaving the critical educational sector which is responsible for the training and development of the country’s human capacity in chaos and limbo.
She disclosed while delivering the 16th inaugural lecture of the university with the theme; Educational Management:The Human Resource Issues.
To improve on the productivity and quality of output of workforce in the government owned higher institutions which equally robbed off on the quality of graduates being churned out, Prof Akinsanya said that the state and federal government as a matter of urgency must see to the adequate motivation of its workforce.
She explained that as a fall out of this poor condition of service, the privately owned institutions are now poaching skilled personnel from government-owned universities leading to a low retention rate of staff thereby resulting in poor human resources management.
Prof Akinsanya said that organisations must invest heavily in capacity training and development as human resources are indispensable.
On the global terrain, she urged organisations to foster the development of more globally oriented managers and individuals who are fluent in foreign languages and have a good understanding of culture as well as the dynamics of the foreign marketplace.
According to Prof. Akinsanya, an effective work environment entails making the work environment attractive, creative, comfortable, satisfactory, and motivating to employees, while calling on employers to prioritise staff welfare and the provision of good welfare packages for effective organizational productivity.
She cited a research she carried out in 2014 on job satisfaction and job security as determinants of organisational commitment among lecturers in Ogun State, revealing that “good working environment, good condition of service, adequate facilities and resources and welfare package helped to motivate academic staff thereby boosting their morale, increases feelings of happiness and enhancing more commitment to their job”, she further noted.
She also called for the refurbishment of dilapidated structures dotting the landscape of schools, universities, Colleges of Education, and Polytechnics in the Nation, while pointing out that for Human Resource Managers to function effectively and efficiently they must bring on board Guidance and Counsellors experts.
She called on the government at all tiers to ensure adequate budgetary allocation for the training and retraining of teachers. She furthermore enjoined teachers to be encouraged to go for self-development programmes to acquire more skills, knowledge and competencies in their chosen profession.
The lecturer equally suggested that personnel policy should be designed to utilise different nationalities in their workplace and that Universities should only offer admission to students based on their capacity.
Prof Akinsanya pleaded with Trade Union leaders to be partners in progress with their employers instead of being competitors, urging policymakers in the education sector to place emphasis on computer literacy as the world is now a global village.
Akinsanya, while lending her voice to the claim that Alumni Associations can contribute effectively to the development of the Alma mater with the appointment of a virile Alumni Officer whose sole function is to promote a continuous and constant relationship between the University and its Alumnus.
Guests at the event included the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu; the Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku; the erstwhile National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi; former Dean, COEAVOT, Prof.Oluremi Adesemowo; Prof. Emilola Susan Ajibade, Dr. T.M. Salisu, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi, and Prof. Taiwo Edun among others.
Don harps on motivation of workers, funding as way out of frequent strike in tertiary institutions
