The Journal of Arts, Humanities and Developments Studies and Research (JAHDSR)
Vol 3, Issue No.1, pp 14 – 35; April, 2021
Universal Basic Education (UBE) Program Implementation and the Socioeconomic dimensions of Rural Labor Migration in Bekwarra Local Area Government, Nigeria
1Ajor, Joseph Okuta, 2Eneji, Chris-Valentine Ogar & 3Omang, Thomas Achoda.
1Dept. of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
2Dept. of Environmental Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
3Dept. of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
E-Mail: 1980okuta@gmail.com Tel:+2348033907272
okuta@unical.edu.ng
E-mail: vcogareneji@gmail.com; Tel: +2348085040272
E-Mail: thomasomang@yahoo.com; Tel: 08166687000
Corresponding author: Eneji, Chris-Valentine Ogar, (PhD)
E-Mail: vcogareneji@unicl.edu.ng; vcogareneji@gmail.com
Mobile: +23480 85040272
Abstract
This study investigated the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program in Bekwarra and how this has influenced labor migration and also examined the socioeconomic dimensions of labor migration in Bekwarra local government area. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study, the study area is Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A sample of 1172 respondents, representing 0.5% of the total study population was selected for the study. The instrument for data collection was the researchers designed structured questionnaire based on the three research questions formulated for the study. The researchers personally administered the research instrument based on the accidental and purposeful methods of administration. There was 100% return rate, which was coded and used for analysis using simple percentage. The result of data analyzed indicated that the UBE program was properly implemented in Bekwarra LGA. 668 (57.0%) agreed that it was properly implemented, while 504 (43.0%) respondents disagreed that the UBE program was not properly implemented in Bekwarra LGA. The result of the second question shows that 696 (59.4%) agreed that the UBE program implemented has sufficiently influenced labor migration in Bekwarra, while 476 (40.6%) respondents disagreed that the UBE program implemented has not influenced labor migration in any way in Bekwarra. It was also found that labor migration has some socioeconomic dimensions which are both positive and negative at some points. Based on these results, it was however concluded that the implementation of the UBE program has influenced labor migration which also has some socioeconomic dimensions in Bekwarra Local Government Area. It was therefore recommended among others that government and private individuals should establish plantation agriculture and other cottage industries in the rural communities to harness the cheap labor by engaging the youth to discourage the incidence of labor migration with its attendants’ socioeconomic problems in Bekwarra.
Key words: UBE program implementation, labor migration, socioeconomic effects of migration, left behind persons, entrepreneurship education and skills acquisitions