FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICAL BIOLOGY A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

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Abstract

This research work was aimed at examining the factors affecting the teaching of practical Biology in secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. A total of 100 students were sampled for this study. Questionnaire was the instrument used for collecting the data. Also used was WASCE Biology results for the past (6) years (2001 – 2006) in the school sampled. Two hypotheses were formulated for this study, and tested at 0.05 level of significance. It was discovered that inadequate instructional materials, inadequate laboratory equipment and poor motivation of teachers are the important factors affecting academic performance of the students. It was recommended that government should put more efforts in providing learning facilities, equipping laboratories and also motivating teachers to make room for effective teaching / learning and good performance by the students.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   Background of the Study

The recognition of science and technology as a vehicle for the realization of the aspiration of any nation has generated global awareness of the need to improve the quality of science teaching (Uko 2004). According to Michael (2004), science is a systematic process of obtaining testable verifiable knowledge about the environment and nature through careful observation and experimentation. He also defined technology as the knowledge and the study of human endeavours in creating and using tools, techniques, resources and system to manage the man-made and natural environment for the process of extending human potentials.

Ukoh (2004) explained that high quality of science teaching will no doubt improve and expand the frontiers of science in our country. In order words, the laudable benefits of science and technology could only be realized through effective teaching and learning of science and technology subjects including Biology.

Teaching is viewed as a partnership enterprise between the teacher and the students, which ultimately lead to permanent changes in the behaviour of the students (Uko 2004). He also that it is planned process which requires the methodical application of techniques based nearly on behaviour. Teaching is systematic activity deliberately engage somebody to facilitate the learning of the intended work while knowledge, skills, attitude and values of another person and getting the necessary feedback. He further explained, instruction measuring and evaluating and that the main purpose of every teaching is to facilitate or bring about learning.

This work hopes to identify factors affecting students’ performance in practical Biology in secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

It has been observed that students’ performance in Biology in secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in both internal and external examination has been consistently poor in recent years. This could be attributed to myriads of problems facing the reaching of practical Biology in these schools. Research studies conducted in different parts of Nigeria ha identified several problems hindering effective teaching of practical Biology in secondary schools. These include among others; inadequate facilities, insufficient number of qualified teachers, and poor finding. Others are lack of interest by students, use of inappropriate teaching methods, lack of job satisfaction by teachers, non-availability and non-utilization of instructional materials and poor contents coverage by teachers. Little research studies have been done in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, hence the problems facing the teaching and learning of practical Biology in secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area and their resultant effects on students’ performance are largely not known. In the light of these, if becomes imperative for this research to identify the problems facing the teaching / learning of practical Biology so as to be able to find salutation to them.

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICAL BIOLOGY A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA