Novation of Contracts: Examining the Effects in Modern Information and Communication Technology Agreements (Published)
This paper explores the essence of novation as it affects the contracts for ICT and contractual rights in general before dealing with questions raised in the contracts in relation to the novation or assignment clauses. Novation is one of the mechanisms whereby parties can swap or assign duties and obligations under an existing contract to new parties. The paper points out recognized mechanisms of transferring obligations as well as analyses the presumed assignment of obligations by contrasting the position of the law in other jurisdictions under common law. The state of the law on the assignment or transfer of contractual obligations in Nigeria, owing to problems occurring under common law, statutory provisions and the drafting of assignment clauses and related documents, are curiously far from simple. The basic principle of contract law in Nigeria as seen through various judicial pronouncements therefore suggests that the assignment or transfer of contractual obligations are unclear. Unfortunately, the lack of an established system for contract law in Nigeria, as well as strong judicial precedents on the subject, can be due to several of these challenges. It is therefore the position of this paper that the principle of law concerning novation must be clarified to minimise the uncertainty in its application by parties and enforcement by the court.
Keywords: Assignment, Law of Contract, novation, privity of contract
Electronic Evaluation: Facts, Challenges and Expectations (Published)
Due to its fundamental role in the teaching and learning process, the concept of evaluation has been widely tackled in academic spheres. As a matter of fact, evaluation can help us discriminate between good and bad courses and thus establishes a solid background for setting success to major courses’ aims and outcomes. Whether in electronic or paper form and whether as a continuous or periodic process, evaluation helps teachers to form judgement values and students’ development and achievements. With regard to electronic evaluation, more and more university Algerian teachers are performing it though with a low degree through the online Master and Doctorate theses works’ supervision, for instance .The current study aims at investigating the teachers’ attitude to the use of electronic evaluation as a means to evaluate students’ performance and progress. The other aim is also to shed light on other aspects of electronic evaluation which are still under limited experimental process and needs to be upgraded in the university departments’ database. This might include mainly the electronic course evaluation system and course work assignment electronic submission. Results which were collected through an online survey submitted in the form of Likert scale questionnaire to 16 teachers randomly selected across different Algerian universities revealed interesting findings. Most teachers agreed that electronic evaluation system can replace paper evaluation system forms since it saves much of the teacher’s time and energy. Most importantly, all teachers admitted that the electronic course evaluation system would help them to provide quality courses.
Keywords: Assignment, Supervision, course submission, electronic evaluation
Study Habits and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Rivers-West Senatorial District of Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated Study Habits and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Rivers-West Senatorial District of Rivers State, Nigeria. The population of the study is 2,650 Senior Secondary Two (S.S.2) students in selected public schools in the Rivers-West Senatorial District. The sample size is 437 which was chosen through Taro Yemeni’s sample size selection formula. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire which dwelt on the extent of relationship between aspects of study habit such as regular reading, students-teacher consultation, regular involvement in doing class assignments, regular library patronage and regular engagement in doing take-home assignments and academic performance. Five research questions guided the study and were analysed using mean statistical tool. The findings revealed that there is high extent of relationship between study habit and academic performance. Consequently, recommendations were made which include: parents should provide books and encourage their wards to study hard; counselors should be employed to counsel students on how to develop study habit; students should be encouraged to do their class and take-home assignments.
Keywords: : Academic Performance, Assignment, Study Habit, secondary school students
