Politics of Leadership and Implementation of Educational Policies and Programmes of Tertiary Institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria

This paper examines issues of politics of leadership and implementation of Educational policies and programmes of tertiary institutions in Cross River State with a view to determine the problems are situated and suggest the way forward. It examines the concept of politics of education, concept of leadership, meaning of planning and generation of policy, and the implementation of policies and programmes. It highlights the functions of the various educational bodies responsible for the oversight and implementation of government policies and programmes. The paper discusses issues of politics of leadership, control and management of education and the Federal and State level and Cross River State in particular. The paper suggested the ways forward to include increase in budgeting in the educational sector to meet the UNESCO standard of 26%, training and retraining of teachers and the need for political stability and continuity in governance. Recommendations were made among others to include the need for political leaders to have the political will to implement their programmes as stated during their campaigns and avoid policy summersault and adhere to continuity, adjust as the need arises and avoid wastages in tandem with realities and the needs of the nation and state on ground. Keywords: Politics, Leadership, Implementation, Educational Policies, Programme