INFLUENCE OF ACADEMIC STAFF SELECTION AND RETENTION PRACTICES ON QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study investigated, “Influence of Academic Staff Selection and Retention Practices on Quality Service Delivery in public tertiary institutions in Rivers State”. The study was guided by three (3) research objectives, three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was one hundred and ninety-nine (199); 16 Deans and 104 Heads of Departments from Rivers State University, 7 Deans and 42 Heads of Departments from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and 9 Deans and 21 Heads of Departments from Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. The census method was used. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire titled “Academic Staff Selection and Retention Practices for Quality Service Delivery Questionnaire” developed on a four-point rating scale of Very High, Extent (VHE=4), High Extent (HE=3 points), Low Extent (LE=2points) and Very Low Extent (VLE=1point). The questionnaire was analyzed for reliability using Cronbach Alpha method. The reason was to establish the internal consistency of the instrument. The test yielded reliability coefficients of 0.85, 0.83 and 0.82 with some overall reliability coefficients of 0.83 which showed the instrument was reliable. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while one-way ANOVA analysis was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. From the analysis done the study found that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments on the extent to which selection criteria, eligibility tests, oral interview and provision of staff welfare schemes influence staff selection practices on quality service delivery in public tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The study concluded that effective academic staff selection and retention practices are vital for quality service delivery in public tertiary institutions in Rivers State. It was recommended among others that Oral interviews should be conducted professionally, with a focus on evaluating candidates’ teaching, research skills, and communication abilities and Institutions should provide comprehensive welfare packages, including competitive salaries, health insurance, housing allowances.