Crisis management readiness for educational service effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined crisis management readiness for educational service effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 390 principals in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. A sample of 197 principals, comprising 100 males and 80 females were drawn from a population of 390 principals using Taro Yamane Formula. A self-designed instrument titled: Crisis Management Readiness for Educational Service Effectiveness Scale (CMRESES) was used for data collection. The measurement had a reliability index of 0.73 obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Mean and standard deviation were used in answering the research questions while z-test was used in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The findings of the study revealed amongst others that, crisis management readiness such as crisis management plan and crisis management team enhance educational service effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Also the study revealed that there is no significant difference between crisis management readiness and educational service effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that, crisis management readiness variables of management plans and teams enhance educational service effectiveness in public secondary schools in Rivers State. Consequently, the study recommended that, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with stakeholders (e.g., parents, NGOs, security agencies), should organize regular training workshops and simulation exercises on crisis response and management. These should be designed for school personnel, community leaders, and students.