GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT
The study sought to investigate the roles played by education in the development of rural
communities in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The casual comparative
method was used in the study. To obtain adequate and accurate information, structured
questionnaire, verbal interviews and observations are employed to invoke responses from the
people on the contributions of education in the development of rural areas. The researcher
randomly selected five rural areas in Uyo Local Government for the study. The total
population in the rural study area was 3,000. Out of this, 5% of the total population was
selected for the study. This therefore gives a total of fifteen (15) persons to be contacted per
community for the five areas selected. Thus there were fifteen respondents in one study area
for all the five communities selected. A total of 150 questionnaires were given to the five
rural areas and each community had (30) thirty to invoke responses from people. Also,
random sampling method was used in the distribution of the instrument to ensure meaningful
and objective data collection for the study. The study concludes that although there was no
higher institution in the communities where the study was undertaken, all the communities
realized the importance of establishing schools ranging from Primary to Secondary Schools.
This realization projects education as the pillar of progress. It was therefore recommended
that Government should expedite actions to develop the rural communities of Uyo Local
Government of Akwa Ibom State and beyond. In addition, higher Institutions such as
Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Universities be cited in the rural areas. This will
help to attract governments attention to these communities and also provide the necessary
amenities to the people.
KEYWORDS: Education, Development, Rural Communities, Uyo Local Government
Area.