International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2018): 7.426 Volume 8 Issue 7, July 2019 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Students‟ Perception of Lecturers‟ Competence and their Academic Performance in Education Political Science: A Case Study of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Archibong, Gertrude A (Ph. D) 1 , James, Idopise Okon 2 Department of Educational Foundation, Guidance and Counseling, University of Uyo, Nigeria Abstract: The study determined the relationship between students’ perception of lecturers’ competence and their academic performance in Education Political Science: A case study of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Correlational survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 167 year three and four students in the study area. A sample size of 150 Education Political Science students in the Faculty of Education, University of Uyo were drawn using purposive random sampling technique. A self-structured and validated questionnaire entitled “Students’ Perception of Lecturers’ Competence and the Academic Performance in Education Political Science (SPLCAPEPS) was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to answer the research questions, using the r- value to determine the extent or weight of relationship between variables. The same statistical tool was used to test the null hypotheses by comparing the r-value with critical value, so as to determine the significance of relationship between variables. The study found that students’ perception of lecturers’ teaching method and communication skill have significant relationship with the ir academic performance in Education Political Science. Conclusion was drawn and the study recommended among other things that, Lecturers should be given in-service training through organization of workshops, seminars and conferences to enhance their teaching effectiveness through learning of appropriate teaching methods. Keywords: Perception, Lecturers‟ competence, Teaching method, Communication skill 1. Introduction In Nigeria, education is seen as an instrument for national development. As such, education is expected to be of high standard in order to produce sound and productive individuals that could contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country economy. The quality of education of a nation is determined by teachers‟ competence in the impartation of worthwhile knowledge and skills to the learners. The most important factor in improving students‟ academic achievement in public schools is by employing seasoned qualified and competent teachers in all schools (Akiri and Ugborugbo 2013). Such consideration fosters the growth and development of the education as well as meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the society. In the university context, the most important factor in improving students‟ academic performance in courses offered is by having competent lecturers who plans, organizes, designs, directs, motivates and inspires students to learn using appropriate teaching techniques to impart knowledge (Okolocha and Onyeneke, 2013). Teaching is a purposeful profession useful for individual and economic growth. It is done systematically by professionals who have acquired some skills and knowledge either by training. According to Akinmusire (2012), for teaching to make desirable impact, it must aim at total development of the individual, that is, to enhance intellectual compatibilities, developmental and cognitive intellectuality, foster psycho- social skills, and draw out neuro-physical aptitude of the learners. All education institutions including the university give high priority to developing effective teaching/learning process and solving learning challenges, thus, making lecturers‟ competence a necessity for improving students‟ academic performance. Competence of a lecturer could be measured through high level of creativity in analyzing, synthesizing and grip of the subject matter knowledge in new and effective ways. According to Okolie (2014), lecturers‟ competence may be assessed through lecturers‟ ability to instill in the learners the ability to be analytical, intellectually curious, culturally aware, employable and capable of leadership. Competent lecturer is one who uses clearly formulated objectives and illustrated instruction that will enable students to acquire desired knowledge content, apply the knowledge in and outside classroom (Omoifo and Urevbu, 2007). Adegbile (2008) described a competent lecturer as one who is efficient, reliable and courteously equipped with professionalism, creative in imagination, bustling ingenuity and depth of experience necessary for optimal performance and the achievement of goals. The lecturer as a good manager of instruction should be able to utilize appropriate techniques to gain and maintain the attention of students. A competent lecturer should be able to display requisite pedagogical insight and professional qualities and utilize same to guide the teaching/learning process to the point of achieving stated educational objectives. Several factors are perceived to influence students‟ academic performance in Education Political Science courses. One of such factor is lecturers‟ teaching method. Chang (2010) accentuated that teaching method are those skills, method or techniques a lecturer or teacher uses to impact lesson effectively to the students. The author added that the Paper ID: ART20193206 10.21275/ART20193206 1800