Sustainable Development Goals and Community Participation as Correlates of Quality Education at the Universal Basic Education Level in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated sustainable development goals (SDGs) and community participation as correlates of quality education at the universal basic education level in Abia State. The study’s objectives include determining the correlation between community participation in educational initiatives and attainment of SDG-related educational goals in primary in Universal Basic Education in Abia State and ascertaining the correlation between community engagement in educational initiatives and specific SDG-related educational outcomes in Abia State. Correlation design was employed in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents, which included 50 principals and 50 teachers in public secondary schools in Abia state; the research instrument was titled sustainable development goals (SDGs) and community participation questionnaire containing 21-item statements. The items were designed on a 4-point rating scale of strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), and strongly Disagree (SD) with weights of 4, 3, 2 and 1, respectively. The face validity of the instrument (Questionnaire) was determined by three research experts in Educational Management, and Measurement and Evaluation in MOUAU. They concluded from the results that there was significant correlation between community participation in educational initiatives and attainment of SDG-related educational goals in Universal Basic Education in Abia State. It was also found that there was significant correlation between community engagement in educational initiatives and specific SDG-related educational outcomes. Based on the conclusion, the study recommends improving communication and collaboration between educational institutions and local communities, using community-based organisations, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders as intermediaries.