Inclusive Education for A Sustainable Future and Employability of Middle Level Manpower Graduates in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of inclusive education in promoting a sustainable future and enhancing employability in Nigeria. Primary data were sourced to assess the main objectives of the study using self-designed questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.75 Cronbach alpha and administered to 120 undergraduate students from all the three public tertiary institutions in Oyo township. Descriptive statistics, (including simple frequency, percentages and weighted values) was used to analyse respondents' personal data and to address the research questions for the study. Pearson’ correlation analysis was utilised to test the relationship between the variable of the study. The research finds a strong positive perception of respondents on inclusive education, and in terms of the relationships between inclusive education and sustainable future and inclusive education and employability with mean scores exceeding 2.50. Specifically, the study found a strong positive correlation between inclusive education and sustainable future, with a correlation coefficient of 0.85; between inclusive education and employability, with a correlation coefficient of 0.60; and between sustainable future and employability, with a correlation coefficient of 0.55. This suggests that an increase in inclusive education tends to positively improve both students sustainable future and their employability. As a result, the study recommends that the government should formulate and implement comprehensive policies to support enhanced inclusive education in teaching and learning and also institute educational interventions.