ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The development of a nation is a function of the level of the resourcefulness of the people which to a great extent, relates to the level of quality of education in that nation. Such progress or Development could only occur when an individual in the society is economically engaged and per capital income is enhanced. This could only be possible when educational policies are geared towards a functional education that can lead to job creation and also self-reliance. Entrepreneurship education is a means through which government could attain such development in the society. Therefore, this paper examines the role of entrepreneurship education and its potential contribution to job creation in Nigeria. The challenges of providing quality entrepreneurship education are also discussed. This research work examined the need for entrepreneurial education as a tool for reducing unemployment rate among secondary school students and the study was carried out in selected secondary schools within Bauchi L.G.A of Bauchi State. The objectives of the study were to investigate the need for entrepreneurship education and its significance in the reduction of unemployment rate among secondary school students in Bauchi L.G.A of Bauchi State. And also to determine the strength of entrepreneurship education in developing the entrepreneurial skills. The methodology adopted was a mixed analysis of quantitative and qualitative parameters based on the survey design which relied on primary and secondary sources of gathering data, through the use of questionnaires. One hundred and sixty five (165) questionnaires were administered.