EVALUATION OF CHALLENGES OF SIWES STUDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE OF THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OFFA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

BY

AHMED YAKUB OLAYINKA

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE, THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OFFA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

MARCH, 2016

ABSTRACT

Training is a key factor in enhancing the efficiency and expertise of the workforce. It is a common knowledge today that theoretical knowledge received by students is not enough for them to practice in their chosen field, particularly in the field of librarianship. The study, therefore evaluates the challenges of students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in the Department of Library and Information Science, The Federal Polytechnic, Offa. The apparent lack of practical skills among youths has been blamed on the educational system. It is glaring that institutions spend much time on theory at the expense of development of practical skills because of lack of materials and facilities needed to infuse in youths the necessary skills likely to be required in industries-it then implies that youths are exposed to in the classroom settings and what is obtained in the field of librarianship. It was in order to bridge this gap that the Industrial Work Experience Scheme was introduced. The survey method was used for this research. This is because it involves a random selection of samples from both large and small population to obtain empirical knowledge of contemporary nature. Findings of the study show that shortage of supervisors, inadequate practical exposure and rejection of students among others are the challenges of SIWES. It is therefore, very imperative to state that the programme is as important in bridging the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge, to this end government should improve on monetary incentives given to students among others.