Laboratory facilities

Having more individuals study and graduate in the field of chemistry well knowledgeable and competent enough to discover and manage the natural assets of the nation is dependent on how effective they were taught at the secondary school level. This study investigated the common difficulties encountered in the teaching of chemistry in senior secondary schools, using senior schools in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State as a case study. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were raised and examined and data was collected from twenty-four (24) respondents drawn from 19 schools in Egor Local Government Area OF Edo State using questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. An analysis of data was done using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. The findings from the study reveal that the top 3 common difficulties encountered in the teaching of chemistry in secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State includes: scarcity of chemistry teachers; insufficient number of technology equipment; and unavailability of standard and functional laboratory. It also revealed that the difficulties are not significantly different by the sex of the teacher. Some recommendations were made which include: each school should have well-equipped laboratories with the basic conveniences like an electrical supply, a fire extinguisher, and a water system, to name a few; Chemistry teachers should employ the student-centred approach in the teaching of chemistry as it increases the engagement and motivation of the student; Chemistry teachers should be sponsored to in-service training programs that encompass conferences, seminars, and workshops to enhance their professional growth.

This study was intended to examine the factors hindering the effective teaching of biology in the secondary schools in Edo state. This study was guided by the following objectives; to highlight and discuss the relevance of well-equipped laboratory to the teaching of biology in the secondary schools, to identify the impact of regular test/assessments both practical tests and problems-type tests on students’ proficiency in biology and to ascertain the effect of the use of professional biology teachers (resources teachers) on the teaching of biology in secondary schools. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory design; questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. The respondents under the study were 100 staff/teachers in Ovia North-East local Government Area in Edo state, Nigeria. The study findings revealed that there is are problems of teaching biology in senior secondary school in Ovia North-East local Government Area in Edo state; based on the findings from the study, government should equip laboratories while principal should provide biology teachers with fund for consumables.