ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE BY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OVIA NORTH EAST

The management and utilization of agricultural waste have gained prominence as a sustainable approach to addressing environmental challenges and enhancing educational practices. This study assesses the level of utilization of agricultural waste by secondary school teachers in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, focusing on its integration into agricultural science education. Agricultural waste, including crop residues, animal manure, and agro-industrial by-products, holds significant potential as a cost-effective teaching resource to foster experiential learning, creativity, and sustainability awareness among students. However, its adoption in Nigerian secondary schools remains underexplored. This research examines teachers’ awareness of agricultural aste utilization, identifies the types of waste commonly used in teaching, nvestigates the hallenges hindering effective application, and proposes strategies to enhance its use. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 100 AgriculturalScience teachers selected through stratified random sampling from public and privateschools in urban and rural settings. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics via SPSS software. The findings confirm that a well-validated and reliable questionnaire enhances data accuracy, making it a valuable tool for research on agricultural waste utilization in educational settings. Findings reveal high awareness mong teachers but moderate incorporation into teaching practices, constrained by inadequate training, limited resources, and insufficient waste access. The study recommends integrating waste management into the curriculum, providing teacher training, and establishing school-based waste programs to bridge these gaps. y leveraging agricultural waste, secondary schools can promote environmental stewardship, practical education, and entrepreneurial skills, aligning with Nigeria’s sustainability and vocational education goals. This research fills a critical gap in localized studies on agricultural waste utilization in education within Ovia North East