PERCEIVED CAUSES OF STUDENTS’ LITIGATIONS AGAINST MANAGEMENT OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN RIVERS STATE

This study investigated students’ litigations against the management of higher institutions in Rivers State. The descriptive survey design was adopted. Three research questions were posed for this study. The proportional stratified random sampling was used in the selection of 6,288 respondents from a total population of 16,943 consisting of students, staff and management of three higher institutions in Rivers State. A structured questionnaire titled “Litigation and the management of Higher Institutions in Rivers State” (LATMOHIRS) validated with cronbach alpha reliability index of 0.85 was administered. Six thousand two hundred and eighty eight (6,288) copies of questionnaire was administered and retrieved for analysis. The data collected were all coded and entered into the computer, analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Document analysis was also used to collect needed data. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Consequently, the following findings were made. The causes of student’s litigations in higher institutions include: abuse of students fundamental human rights by the authorities, expulsion of students, and seizure of students examination results among others. The impact of litigations on management includes delay in taking administrative decisions, erosion of the autonomy of higher institution and instability of academic programmes. It was therefore recommended that the school authorities to exhaust the due process of law in the adjudication of internal dispute and allegations within higher institutions.