Level Of Availability And Utilization Of Instructional Materials In The Teaching Of Chemistry In Secondary Schools In Nasarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa State

Abstract

This study examined the level of availability and utilization of instructional materials in teaching Chemistry in secondary schools in Nasarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa State. Three research questions were raised and answered. The adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised the entire forty-two (42) Chemistry teachers. One thousand two hundred and forty (1,240) students offering Chemistry as a subject in the 2021/2022 academic session across the entire forty-two (42) government-own secondary schools in Nasarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa State. A random sampling technique was employed in selecting 10 schools, 200 students, and 10 teachers giving rise to a total of 210 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled with a reliability coefficient of 0.79. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Department of Science and Technology Education. The data collected were analysed using the Cronbach Alpha method. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study among others revealed that instructional materials such as periodic tables, pipette, beaker, retort stand, test tube, spatula, conical flask, funnel, bench reagent indicator, measuring cylinder, litmus paper, filter paper, weighing scale, are available and utilized across the schools. However, the following were lacking computer software, a fire extinguisher, the fume cupboard, worn-out equipment and appliances. Lack of properly equipped laboratories, unavailability of instructional materials, high cost of instructional materials, the unconducive atmosphere in the schools, and lack of facilities are the factors militating against the effective utilization of instructional materials. The study recommended that government should make provision for well-equipped Chemistry laboratories, required in all schools within the study area for the teaching and learning of Chemistry.