MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNPRECEDENTED APATHY TO STUDIES: THE NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This paper interrogated Nnamdi Azikiwe University music students’ unprecedented apathy towards studies with the aim of finding a solution to the problem. The problem has spread to all the levels of undergraduate study and is gradually becoming irredeemable if no pragmatic counter measures are engaged. The malaise portends obvious dangers for the students, the lecturers, the Department of Music, the entire University and the future of formal music education in Nigeria because of the existential threats it poses to the department. Primary data was sourced from class room observation of the behavior of the students, class attendance registers, performance rating of the students in quiz and examinations over the span of four years, group rehearsal attendance and participation, lecture notes and lecture delivery of the lecturers. Questionnaires and interviews were granted to the students and lecturers of the Department to seek their candid opinions regarding the problem and this formed the secondary source of data of the research. Data garnered from these sources were considered and analyzed using some qualitative tools of data analysis. Findings show that the major factors fueling the apathy are forced admission, prevailing economic crises, trending peer pressure to amass wealth, social media/internet culture, issues from mobile learning, parental indifference, financial distress, inadequate teaching approaches, and rigid curriculum of studies. It is recommended that students should not be admitted into the department of music against their wish, more learner friendly approaches should be engaged by the lecturers to encourage the students, students also should put off all peer distractions and youthful utopia and brace up to the challenges of university education.