THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS IN INTEGRATED SCIENCE AS PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Entrepreneurial skills are major indicators used to identify youths’ ability to negotiate their existence within the labour market as employees or as self-reliant entrepreneurs by the creation of viable means of livelihood. Some of these skills include risk-taking, being creative and innovative. However, a seeming disparity between the theory and practice of entrepreneurial skills has been the focus of scholars’ attention. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the theory and practice of entrepreneurial skills as taught in Integrated Science in Oyo state, Nigeria. Also, the study determined if gender differences existed between the theory and practice of entrepreneurial skills in Integrated Science. This study was ex-post facto research of survey type which involved the participation of 120 students. One research question was raised and answered using meanwhile only the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 significant levels using multiple regression. The instrument used was a researcher-designed questionnaire on the Entrepreneurial Skills Developed Assessment Questionnaire (ESDAQ). Findings of the study revealed that there was a significant difference in entrepreneurial theory and practical skills as taught in Integrated Science. The study concluded that the practice is central to the inculcation of the theory in Entrepreneurial skills acquisition. The study recommended among others that government should provide necessary laboratory equipment such as mass-spectrometer, ultraviolent-spectroscopy, infrared-spectroscopy, electric-oven, fume-cupboard etc. so as impact full practical skills to the students.