SOCIO-ECONOMIC NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF KWALKWALAWA COMMUNITY AND USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO COMMUNITY SERVICES

Abstract

The study used descriptive survey research design to assess socio-economic needs of Kwalkwalawa community and Usamanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto community services. The population of the study was 958 households. A sample size of 156 heads of households was chosen using convenience sampling technique. The research instrument used for the study was an adapted version of Udai Pareek and G. Trivedi (1964) Socio-Economic Status Scale for Rural Community (SSRC) complemented with observation and personal interaction with the community leaders. The Scale was validated by experts in Adult Education and Sociology of Education in the Faculty of Education and Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and the researcher tried-tested the Scale on some households outside the sample which yielded a reliability co-efficient of .87. Data collected via Socio-Economic Status Scale for Rural Community were analyzed through frequency and percentage and quantitative data via personal interaction and observation complemented the quantitative analyses. The findings of the study revealed that majority of households in Kwalkwalawa community belong to lower middle socio-economic class. The findings also results revealed that members of Kwalkwalawa community require the community service of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in the following areas in these orders: provision of primary school education, opening of Early Childhood Care and Education, public enlightenment on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, training on modern method of fishing, Adult Literacy Class, awareness raising on the value of modern education, provision of secondary school education, training on livestock management, alternative income generating programmes, enlightenment on pollution control, training on business skills, training on saving technology, financial management and training on group formation dynamics. The study concludes that socio-economic status of members of Kwalkwalawa community can be improved if Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto gives the Community special attention in her community services mandate via provision of the identified assessed needs