Evaluation of the Implementation of the Gifted Education Programme in Nigeria: Implications for Counselling

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of Gifted Education Programme in Nigeria and draw implications for counselling. The accumulated literature and findings on poor achievement of objectives in the programme and the paucity of literature and research on its implications for counselling motivated the study. The population of study consisted of four categories of people from which a randomized sample of three hundred and fifty-six respondents were drawn. To achieve the purpose of study, eight research questions and four hypotheses were postulated. The research design adopted was survey. Four questionnaires and an interview schedule were developed and used by the researcher for data collection. The data gathered were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviations, percentage scores, t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance statistics where applicable. Major findings of the study show that the extent of implementation and achievement of objectives in the programme was low and a wide gap existed between policy statements and implementation. Many obstacles impeded the implementation of the programme in Nigeria; infrastructural facilities were inadequate; teachers and the administrators at the Academy were not adequately qualified while the identification methods were poorly conceived and used; professional counsellors have vital roles to play to remedy the implementation problems and creativity counselling strategy was the most relevant for intervention. In the light of the findings, it was recommended that professional counsellors be drawn into the programme processes right from the planning to implementation stage to educate and provide more information, awareness and support for the programme. With this input, it is expected that the implementation of Gifted Education Programme will be better managed in Nigeria, thus enhancing the achievement prospects of the programme.