Assessment of Students’ Perception of Dress Code in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: A Study of Federal College of Education Zaria.

Abstract

Indiscipline constitutes one of the major impediments to academic excellence in Nigeria. This study examines the reasons and consequences of student violation of the Dress Code in Federal College of Education Zaria. Both primary and secondary data were utilized and these data were qualitatively and qualitatively analysed to answer the research questions. Finding shows that the students' perception of the Dress Code was due to their family background and the influence of the school environment. The study also reveals that despite the high level of students' awareness of the Dress Code, and the efforts of the Students' Affairs Unit, Security Unit, and the lecturers to enforce the Dress Code, there is still a high rate of students' violation of the Dress Code. The reasons adduced for the above includes; haphazard implementation of the Dress Code by those responsible for the implementation, and lack of political-will on the part of the College management to ensure the full implementation of the Dress Code. The study therefore recommends among others that the College management should not interfere unnecessary in the activities of those shouldered with the responsibility of enforcing the Dress Code in the College. A symbiotic relationship between the College management is required to ensure the effective implementation of the Dress Code and other rules and regulations guiding the conducts of the students in the College.