Abstract: The study was carried out to ascertain the Availability and Utilization of Sports Facilities in Private Primary Schools in Obio Akpor Local government area of Rivers State. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The study population comprised all private primary schools and all physical and health education teachers in the Local Government Area, using simple random sampling techniques. Six (6) schools and twelve (12) physical and health education teachers were used for the study.
The instrument used for data collection was Sports Facilities Questionnaire (SFQ) and a checklist was used to elicit information from the respondents. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentages. The findings of this study indicated that out of all the sports facilities, only soccer fields were available in all the private primary schools in Obio Akpor. However, most of the schools have volleyball court, basketball court, handball court.
The study showed that soccer ball, whistle and relay batons were available in all the schools studied; other items that were available in most schools are volleyballs, basketball, handballs, measuring tape and first aid. The result of the study indicated that soccer fields and balls, whistles and relay batons were adequately utilized in the schools. First aid box and measuring tape were sparingly utilized in most of the schools. Based on the result, it was recommended that workshops should be organized for private primary schools’ proprietors and Physical and Health Education teachers on the need to procure the necessary sports facilities and utilize them. Also funds should be provided to the schools to construct facilities for effective teaching of Physical Education. (Availability and Utilization of Sports Facilities in Private Primary Schools in Obio Akpor Local government area of Rivers State).
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the procedures and methodology utilize in this study. It covers area of the study, research design, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of the instruments, method of data collection and method of data analysis.
3.1 Area of the Study
The study was carried out in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Obio/Akpor is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the South-South Region of Nigeria. The Local Government Area occupies a landmass of approximately 2761.78 square kilometers. Obio-Akpor is undoubtedly, one of the major hubs for media in Rivers State. Elelenwo is the location of Radio Rivers 99.1, the first government-owned FM radio station in the state, and the second FM radio station to launch in Nigeria. Also headquartered in the neighbourhood is Rivers State Television whose signal is received in parts of nine states.
In October 2003, DAAR Communications Plc launched its radio and television stations which are transmitted from Choba. In 2008, Pidgin English radio station Wazobia FM 94.1 began broadcasting from its studios in Rumuosi.
Obio Akpor Local Government Area is rich in cultural displays such as Ekpo, boat regatta, ekong as well as song, dances among others. Obio Akpor Local Government Area has Mary Slessor Tombstone and beautiful scenery and virgin forest which can be developed into games reserves. Obio/Akpor is abundantly endured with resources such as fine sand, gravels, limestone, crude oil, clay and other forest resources which include, timber, wild animals and firewood. There are also oil palms all over the area.
3.2 Research Design
The research design adopted for this study was descriptive survey research design because it allows the researcher to describe the situation as it is and to find out what exist on ground and draw inference.
3.3 Population of the Study
The population for the study comprised all the private primary schools in Obio Akpor Local Government Area and all the Physical and Health Education teachers in private primary schools in the Local Government Area.
3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
Random sampling technique was used to select schools from primary schools in Obio Akpor. Six (6) private primary schools were selected out of ten (10) existing private primary schools and 12 teachers out of twenty (20) physical and health education teachers in the Local Government Area were used for the study.
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection
Sports Facilities Questionnaire (SFQ) and a checklist were used in eliciting information in this study.
3.6 Validation of the Instrument
The content validity of the instrument was established by an expert in the Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State who as requested to comment and make corrections on the instrument. Her contributions were effected in the final copy of the instrument before being used for the study.
3.7 Method of Data Collection
The researcher collected a letter of introduction from the Head of department, Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The letter helped the researcher to gain access to the physical education teachers in schools in Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Copies were distributed in six (6) private primary schools in Obio Akpor. All the distributed questionnaires were collected back by the researcher.
3.8 Method of Data Analysis
The data collected from this study were analyzed using simple percentages to answer the research questions.
