Repositioning Secretarial Curriculum In Polytechnics In Nigeria To Meet The Challenges Of Information And Communication Technology

Abstract

Around the world secretarial education is going through serious metamorphosis resulting to a number of challenges. These challenges include the need to respond to the impact of globalization, needs of a new knowledge society, to high social demand and to the rising expectations of stakeholders including government, industry, labour and society. Nigeria has since the 1969 sought to respond positively to these challenges. The major purpose of this study was to examine the current status of secretarial curriculum with a view to repositioning secretarial curriculum in polytechnics in Nigeria to meet the challenges of information and communication technology. The population included Industry-based supervisors, recent graduates and Institution-based supervisors. Results indicated that current secretarial curriculum was out tune with current realities. Instructors lag behind current technological development in the industry and a wide margin exist between theory and practice in secretarial education. This study recommended that secretarial curriculum should be evaluated on a more regular basis to update it in line with student and industry needs. Opportunities should be provided whereby instructors in polytechnics and supervisors in industries interact and compare notes on training needs and industry expectations.