Strategies for re-orienting agricultural education towards hands on experience in Rivers State Universities

The study examines the strategies for re-orienting agricultural education towards hands on experience in Rivers State Universities. The objectives of the study was to students’ assessment, teaching strategies, and administrative strategies for re-orienting agricultural Education Towards hands on experience in Rivers State Universities. Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated. The design of the study employed was a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 18 agricultural education lecturers from Rivers State Universities. The sampling technique used was census sampling technique, therefore all the population was used for the study. The instrument used for the study was a self-designed questionnaire. The instrument was vetted for validity and reliability. Cronbach Alpha reliability formula was used to establish the reliability of the study which gave a 0.95 reliability coefficient. The method of data analysis used were mean and standard deviation while independent sample t-test was used to test hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that assessing students’ pedagogical knowledge, evaluating students’ agricultural content mastery, appraising students based on their practical competence, consistent use of demonstration farms, use of assignment/project method for teaching practical, close supervision of students during practical exercises, encouraging the use of farm workshops, approving awards of certificate of excellence only when students are able to demonstrate professional competences in farming, provision of instructional materials for teacher among others. The study recommended that administrators should place much emphasis on the need for students to display absolute competency in agricultural production before award of degrees, this will enforce students to take their practical works very serious.