ADOPTION OF 360 DEGREE STAFF ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUE: AS A VALUE TEST FOR LECTURERS IN NIGERIA TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS REVIEW OF CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

This qualitative study reviews the 360-degree assessment technique, as a value test for lecturers in Nigeria tertiary institutions. The current traditional performance assessment technique is no longer valuable because of its non-inclusion of certain fundamental assessment criteria that make it level inappropriate to determine the competencies required and exhibited by the lecturers. Lecturers are rated high on paper qualifications, copy and paste conference papers and publications which in most cases cannot attract any value to the institutions and students. No attention is paid to professional training, development and community service which is one aspects of lecturing job. The paper is aimed at conveying to employees and management an awareness of 360-degree assessment technique as a very distinctive type of performance assessment technique that is based on psychological factors like personal development, self- motivation, constructive criticism, and holistic feedback. Though the technique is challenging if not well designed, implemented, sometimes results to feelings of distrust and uncertainty between employees and co-managers or heads of various departments. It is administratively expensive and time-consuming. However, it creates opportunity that will involve students and lecturers in the assessment process of lecturers on their duties outside paper qualifications, publications, conferences attended and lecturers’ performances in classroom. It provides a broader view of lecturers’ capabilities, if they are meeting their objectives, targets, or basic job requirements and relationship with people. The 360-degree assessment technique can be applied to recruitment process and for optimum result, it should be used together with traditional performance evaluation method and not interchangeably.