STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT FOR POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

BUSARI, Adebayo A. (Ph.D)

Abstract

Engaging students in school is a challenge. As a result, disengagement from course work is
common at the higher school level. In Nigerian polytechnic schools, some students usually do not
take their academic engagement seriously hence at the end of the second semester of their first
year they are asked to withdraw from the institution. These students sometimes engage in more
social activities rather than their educational pursuit. Individual or groups of polytechnic
students who show little engagement in their education often have fewer positive experiences in
the classroom than other students. For example, students who have frequent school absences
necessarily lose opportunities to participate fully in their educational development. Likewise,
those who struggle to meet classroom academic or behavioural expectations may experience
repeated embarrassment or failure, which in turn may lead to diminished satisfaction and
motivation for school. This paper discussed the concept of academic engagement and strategies
which educationists could utilise in engaging the students.