Records Management Practices in Technical Colleges in Bauchi State

This study examined records management practices in technical colleges in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. Effective records management, encompassing student data, staff files, financial transactions, equipment inventories, and accreditation documentation, is a fundamental pillar of institutional accountability and governance in vocational education. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 60 administrators, 40 records officers, and 20 state education officials from five technical colleges. An institutional records management audit tool and a structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Findings revealed that most colleges managed records primarily in paper formats, with significant risks of loss, damage, and unauthorized access. Digital records management systems were absent in four of five colleges sampled. Archiving protocols were either non-existent or poorly observed, and staff managing records lacked formal training in records administration. The study recommends that the Bauchi State Technical and Vocational Education Board mandate the adoption of a digital records management system across all technical colleges, train designated records officers, and establish standardized record-keeping procedures. The State Government should allocate funds for technology infrastructure upgrades and partner with IT companies for cost-effective solutions. These findings address an often-neglected administrative dimension of vocational education quality management in Nigeria's North East zone. Keywords: records management, technical colleges, Bauchi State, institutional administration, vocational education.