Global Journal of Human Social Science, G: Linguistics and Education, Volume 23 Issue 3

Current Issues and Challenges in the Acquisition of Office Technology and Management Education Skills in Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba Ojianyaegbu, Idowu Abstract- This paper examined the current issues and challenges facing the acquisition of OTME skills in Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba. Office Technology and Management is a synergy of thre e distinct words office, technology and management. It is a well-established fact that advances in technology has affected different professions with a view to meet global trends in higher productivity, speed networking and excellent packaging. Accomplishing the routine tasks with machines is known as automation. To this end, this paper examines inter alia the concept of office technology and management, the concept of skills, importance of acquiring OTME Skills in Nigeria skills available in OTME, and issues and challenges in the acquisition of OTME skills. This paper concludes that no meaningful OTME skill can be acquired in colleges of education without adequate provision of facilities, manpower and equipment needed in OTME departments to meet the changing needs of the society and workplace. Based on this conclusion, the paper recommends among others, that government and stakeholders should ensure there is regular power supply in institutions of higher learning where OTME courses are being offered and also the management of Institutions should improvise for power supply to avoid interruption during teaching learning process. Keywords: current issues and challenges, acquisition, office technology and management skills. I. I ntroduction he globalization of the world engineered by internet, and office automation has influenced the ways, means and scope of the functions of Office Technology and Management graduates. Across the world, and indeed, in Nigeria, professions of all kinds are fast adapting to challenges of changing situations. In the past, Office Technology and Management practice was only limited to very few operations like receiving people on business visit to the organizations, typing of official letters and memorandum, and other routine tasks. With the increasing volume of management operations, there is need for speed, accuracy and elegance in office management practice (Eke and Falahan in Osamade. 2017). In the recent times, The National Board for Technical Education enhanced the objectives of secretarial training. Hence, the nomenclature changed to office Technology and Management. This affected both the curriculum of Colleges of Education and Polytechnics. The Polytechnic curriculum composes of four main components for both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma hence, General Studies/ Education Foundation courses, Professional courses, SIWES. The professional courses are courses which give the student the theory and practical skills he/she needs to practice as a secretary. This may account for between 60% to 70% of the contact hours of study. To Agboola in Nwalado and Ezoem (2019) greater prominence is given to ICT courses that shorthand and keyboarding: which had credit hours drastically reduced. The purpose is to actualize the demand for supply of manpower that have appropriate office skills and competences to manage office new technologies to profit the organization given the current wave of information communication technology. The Office Technology and Management Education (OTME) career encourages employment creation given multifaceted skills embedded in it including: reprographics, word processing. Micro- graphics, telecommunication, data processing and others. Merriam Webster Dictionary (2013) explains skill as ability coming from one’s knowledge practice or aptitude to do something well. Etonyeaku in Onyesom (2019) added that it involves practical knowledge in combination with cleverness, expertise, dexterity and ability to perform a function which could be acquired or learnt in school. There are areas which require immediate attention as standing on the perception of Aina in Osamede (2021) that business education inculcating OTME is concerned with development of Individuals, personal skills and attitudes, communication and occupational skills. Technological literacy, employability skills, broad specific occupational skills and knowledge. Oladunjoye (2015) asserts that the products of a deficient curriculum cannot function effectively and efficiently in today’s consistent change in the work environment. Computer studies were first examined at SSCE level – WAEC in 2014 and have become optional in SSCE. The basic Education at JSS level is exclusive of shorthand but optional in Secondary School. The revised edition of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2014) outlined that the acquisition of appropriate skills, abilities and competencies both mental and physical as T © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue III Version I 73 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 G Author: School of Secondary Education (Business), Department of Office Technology and Management Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba. e-mail: ojianyaegbuidowu2021@gmail.com