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

equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society. The objective of each level of education is to give the individual a climbing stone to a higher level. Where the secondary school curriculum is inadequate, it cannot prepare students for useful living and solid higher education. It is obvious that there are various challenges facing acquisition of Office Technology and Management Skills. Thus, this study intends to examine the challenges in the acquisition of Office Technology and Management Skills in Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta state. II. O ffice T echnology and M anagement Office Technology and Management is a synergy of three distinct words, office, technology and management. The word office is a description of a place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted. Amos in Osamade (2017) noted that the historical evolution of the office is as old as the ancient civilization and the evolution of man because human brain itself has been functioning not only as think-tank but also as the reservoir of knowledge, innovation, skills and information. The author stated that human brain has long being recognized as a channel for processing, storing, dissemination and retrieval of information. An office simply means a professional place for work. Technology enables an organization to manage its operations efficiently and create a competitive advantage. Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. It involves the use of machineries and devices developed from scientific knowledge to make work easier and faster (Microsoft, 2010). The management component refers to the art of getting things done through people. Office Technology and Management, according to Eneche and Audu in Obiajulu (2017), is the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of office activities to ensure that various resources (human and materials) are put into optimal utilization so as to achieve the organization. Amos in Osamade (2017) also sees office technology and management as the branch of management which is concerned with services of obtaining, recording and analyzing information. Office Technology and Management Education (OTME) is formerly referred to as secretarial studies in Nigeria. It evolved out of the need to meet the technological and managerial demands of today's workplace. The name OTMEE was approved by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2004: Office Technology and Management Education (OTME) programme was designed for two major reasons. As stated by Adelakin in Osamade (2017) first, as a response to the yearnings of the secretarial studies students and practitioners on the need to change the name of the programme as their products are only suitable for the traditional office environment. Secondly, as a result of the change in curriculum with more emphasis on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), managerial and entrepreneurial competencies so as to enrich the knowledge of the students and equip them with necessary skills needed in today's modern office environment. Udo in Osamade (2017) noted that OTME is a comprehensive activity-based educational programme that is concerned with the acquisition of office technology and management skills, understandings, attitudes. work habits and competencies that are requisite to success in secretarial and office management occupations. The OTME programme is a career training or education to ensure that an individual is career ready with the right skills and attitudes needed for transition from school to work or for advancement in the OTME career path. Office Technology and Management Education Programme as outlined in National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE, 2012) is designed to equip the students with relevant knowledge, skills and competencies needed to function as office workers, teachers and entrepreneurs, OTME students at their final focus on courses that will make them master their area of specialization. OTME programmes aims at providing the business world with highly skilled and knowledgeable workers who will manage information efficiently, effectively, being well equipped with a comprehensive range of skills including managerial, technological and communication skills (Adelaken in Nwosu, 2010). III. C oncept of S kills A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre- determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy or both Osammade (2017) Skill usually requires certain environmental stimuli and situation to assess the level of skill being shown and used. The word skill has been viewed by many authors. Homby (2012) views skill as the dexterity in doing things or in performance or in application to practical purpose, and ingenuity, wisdom and knowledge in carrying out u function. Tonne, Popham and Freeman in Ekwue (2013) viewed skill as ability to use ones’ knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance: technical expertness; a power of habit of doing any particular thing competently. This definition stresses that skills are based on using knowledge; the objectives is to bring knowledge to the level of competency. Tonnel et al in Obi (2011), defined skill as the ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in performing an act, or a habit of doing a particular thing competently. In addition to the above, Hull in Obi (2011) defined skill as manual dexterity acquired through repetitive performance of an operation. According to Oxford dictionary, the term “skill” refers to the ability to do something expertly and well. Skill is an activity that Volume XXIII Issue III Version I 74 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 G © 2023 Global Journals Current Issues and Challenges in the Acquisition of Office Technology and Management Education Skills in Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba