THE NEED FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION IN CROSS RIVER STATE

This study examined the need for advancing polytechnic education in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design with a sample of 384 respondents comprising polytechnic administrators, lecturers, students, and industry stakeholders selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.87. The research investigated the current state of polytechnic education, challenges hindering its advancement, and strategies for improvement. Findings revealed significant infrastructure deficits (Mean = 3.78, SD = 0.92), inadequate funding (Mean = 4.12, SD = 0.68), outdated curriculum (Mean = 3.65, SD = 1.03), and poor industry linkages (Mean = 3.89, SD = 0.85). Results from chi-square analysis showed significant relationships between infrastructure development and educational quality (χ² = 87.45, p < 0.05), funding adequacy and program effectiveness (χ² = 102.33, p < 0.05), and industry collaboration and graduate employability (χ² = 94.78, p < 0.05). The study concluded that urgent interventions are necessary to transform polytechnic education in Cross River State to meet contemporary technological and economic demands. Recommendations include increased government funding allocation, modernization of infrastructure and equipment, curriculum review to align with industry needs, strengthening industry-institution partnerships, enhanced lecturer capacity building, and establishment of technology innovation hubs within polytechnics.