This study examined teachers' utilization of instructional materials for effective teaching of business studies in junior secondary schools in Delta State. The study was guide by three research questions. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Population for the study consisted of 665 business studies teachers in the 448 public junior secondary schools in Delta State. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 50% of 333 out from 665 business studies teachers from 224 public junior secondary schools in Delta State. A questionnaire titled: Teachers' Utilization of Instructional Materials for Teaching Business Studies Questionnaire (TUIMTBSQ), containing 38 items was used in conducting the study. Both the validity and reliability of the research instrument were established. Data were analyzed using mean score at 2.50 rating and standard deviation. Findings of the study revealed among others that business studies teachers' utilization of instructional materials such as printed and non-printed materials for effective teaching of the subject in junior secondary schools in Delta State was to a low extent, which was minimal. The study recommended among others that: State Government and State Education Board should support teachers' utilization of printed and non-printed instructional materials in business studies through adequate funding and procurement of materials needed in teaching business studies in the junior secondary schools in Delta State. Principals should also improvise the required printed and non-printed instructional materials for business studies teachers in the school. This must be accorded with constant supervision and continuous staff training and retraining programmes that will improve teachers' utilization of printed and non-printed technological devices that will aid effective teaching in the classroom.

This study determined school-based practices essential for entrepreneurship skills acquisition in secondary schools in Delta State. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was used in conducting the study. Population of the study comprised 448 principals and 3258 entrepreneurship subject teachers from 448 public secondary schools in Delta State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 224 principals and 652 entrepreneurship subject teachers from 224 public secondary schools in Delta State. A questionnaire titled: School-Based Practices for Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition Questionnaire (SBPESAQ), which contained 56 items and designed on a 4 point scale was used to collect data for this study. The instrument was validated by two experts from the

This study examined in-service training programme opportunities provided for business educators for improving their job performance in secondary schools in Delta State. Three research questions guided the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Population of this study consisted of 2,100 business educators within 448 public secondary schools in Anambra State. Sample size of this study constituted a total of 630 business educators selected from 448 public secondary schools using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. A 24-item researchers' self-developed questionnaire titled "In-service Training Opportunities Questionnaire (ISTOQ)" arranged into three (3) clusters, and structured on 4 point scale which weighted as follows: (a) Strongly Agree (SA)-4, Agree (A)-3, Disagree (D)-2, Strongly Disagree (SD)-1, was used as the main instrument for data collection in this study. The research instrument was validated by three experts and reliability determined through a pilot test which yielded an internal consistency reliability value of 0.82, showing that the instrument was trustworthy in collecting the necessary information for the study. Method of data collection involved a direct and hand delivery contact with the respondents. Data collated were analyzed using the mean score and standard deviation. The findings of this study revealed others that induction training, on-the-job and off-the-job in-services training opportunities were not appropriately provided for business educators in the secondary schools in Delta State in order to guarantee or ensure their job performances. From the findings of this study, recommendations were proffered and among them were that principals should ensure that newly employed business educators/teachers always undergo appropriate induction training programmes in order to boost their job performances. This includes that induction training programmes like specific orientation, physical tour around the school premises, short seminars and the school's handbook/pamphlet which describes the general philosophy, goals and objectives of the schools should highly be encouraged in the school for increased performances. On-the-job training opportunities should be highly provided for business educators by their principals including the State Government and the Delta State Post Primary Education Board (PPEB).

Abstract:This study was conducted to determine the extent to which small scale business operators in Delta State of Nigeria exhibit time management and self motivation skills for successful venture in Delta State of Nigeria. Survey design was adopted for the study and it was guided by two research questions. Two null hypotheses were formulated for the study and they were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Twenty-five (25) small scale business operators were selected from each of the 25 local government areas of the state totaling 625 sample using stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was validated by experts in Business Education. The questionnaire before administration was subjected to a reliability test and the data generated therein were analyzed using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a coefficient index of 0.94. Data collected for the study were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation to answer the research questions while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and z-test were used to test the null hypotheses. The study found that operators of small scale businesses in Delta State of Nigeria exhibited time management and self-motivation skills to a high extent. Also, the test of the two null hypotheses revealed that urban and rural small scale business operators in Delta State did not differ significantly on their mean rating of the extent they possess self motivation skills and time management skills as a result of the academic qualifications. It was concluded that time management and self-motivation skills are paramount for successful operation of small scale businesses. It is hereby recommended among others that workshops and seminars should be organized for operators of small scale business and owners by the agencies responsible for the development of small businesses at all levels of government to create in-depth knowledge and technical know-how on time management and self motivation skills.

The use of technology in the preparation of business education graduates is expected to improve the worth and reduce unemployment among recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of technology for economic growth by graduates of this programme in Ekiti State. Descriptive research design was employed. The population of the study was 3,538 business education graduates (Colleges of Education and University) working in public and private organisations in Ekiti State. 354 business education graduates, representing 10% of the population were randomly selected as sample. A validated structured instrument titled “Questionnaire on the Use of Technology for Economic Growth (QUTEG) with 22 items was used for data collection on the two research questions. The reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained, using split half and Pearson Product Moment Correlation formula. The findings showed that the use of technology has improved graduates’ productivity, creativity, ICT skills, thereby reducing the cost of retraining by their employers. It was recommended that business education graduates should always acquire technological skills for improved worth as employees and to engage in entrepreneurial outfits for the nation’s economic development.