ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN AN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL:

THE STUDENTS’ DOMAIN CONCEPT

¹Oko, J.O. and ²Oko, C.A.

¹Department of Architecture, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

²Department of Educational Foundations, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

E-mail: agaba30@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Frequently, in the academia and in other enlightened circles there are discourses, treatises and debates on the falling standard of education in Nigeria, especially when comparing the colonial / immediate post colonial era on one hand with the early 1990s to the present day period on the other hand. There seems to be a general consensus that the standard has fallen and it is still falling, what is however a source of discordance are the factors that have led to this trend. This paper is a contribution to the discourse by contributing a concept that has the potential of reversing this ugly trend. The “Student Domain Concept” is an idea enunciated by this paper that relates to what the architecture student can and should do within his/her sphere of influence, control or jurisdiction with respect to enhancing good academic performance. The special nature of architectural education was underscored and compared with some other professional courses. Aspects of attitudes to life and approach to architectural studies that inhibit or enhance good performance were examined. It is hoped that the application of the provisions of this study and recommendations by the student of architecture will put him / her in good stead to not only perform well academically but also be instrumental in reversing the ugly downward trend in Architectural Education.