Academic Planning Functions as Predictors of Goals Achievement in Colleges of Education, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Academic planning is an essential function of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The extent towhich academic planning functions are performed determines to a large degree the attainment of the goals of HEIs in Nigeria. This research was conducted toexamine if academic planning functions as a predictor of goal achievement in the Colleges of Education in Kwara State, Nigeria. Survey research method was used to establish the relationship between academicplanning functions and goal achievement in/for the above mentioned colleges. A sample size of 421 out of 1,668 staff was determined using research advisors. The sample size of 421 participants comprised 147 academic staff and 274 non-teaching staff selected using a stratified and proportionate samplingtechnique. Two instruments were designed and used to collect the relevant data for this study. These instruments were Academic Planning Functions Questionnaire (APFQ) and Goals AchievementQuestionnaire (GAQ). The data collected were analyzed using Smart PLS 3.1.4. The findings showed that program accreditation, information processing, and monitoring functionspredicted goal achievement in the said colleges, while program initiation, internal quality assurance, resourceprojection, and financial planning functions did not predict goal achievement. Based on the findings, recommendations weremade to improve the academic planning unit for increased efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in these colleges.