INNOVATION HUBS AS CATALYSTS FOR INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH IN RIVERS STATE BASIC EDUCATION

Abstract

The study investigated innovation hubs as catalysts for inclusive learning and educational psychology approach in Rivers State basic education. his study adopts a mixed-methods research design. A sample size of 300 respondents comprising 100 teachers, 150 pupils, and 50 administrators/hub facilitators was drawn using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire titled "Innovation and Inclusive Learning Assessment Scale and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with education officers, policymakers, and hub coordinators was used for data gathering. Validity was ensured through expert review by education researchers and psychologists. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha and reliability coefficient was 0.70. Quantitative data was collected through in-person questionnaires administered in schools. Qualitative data was be collected through audio recorded FGDs and interviews, transcribed for thematic analysis. Quantitative Data: Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, t-tests, and ANOVA) was conducted using SPSS. Qualitative Data: Thematic analysis was used to interpret interviews and FGDs, guided by pre-set codes based on research questions and emergent themes. Findings revealed that innovation hubs moderately to significantly promote inclusive learning, with respondents agreeing that hubs accommodate diverse learners, support gender inclusion, and enhance access for underserved populations, innovation hubs significantly increase learner engagement and promote academic productivity, and innovation hubs are largely consistent with established psychological theories of learning. The following recommendations were made government should officially incorporate innovation hubs into the Universal Basic Education curriculum framework. community and Private Sector Engagement: Stakeholders should collaborate to co-fund and sustain innovation hubs, especially in rural areas, and monitoring and Evaluation: A system should be established to assess the performance and inclusion outcomes of innovation hubs.