Relationship between the availability of Biology Laboratory facilities and academic achievement among senior secondary school students in Minna Metropolis, Niger state

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between the availability of Biology Laboratory facilities and academic achievement among senior secondary school students in Minna Metropolis, Niger state. The design of the study was a correlation survey type. The population of the study comprised of all the final year students totaling 3,761. The sampled size used for the study was 53 students randomly selected. Instrument for data collection was Questionnaires which were administered to ascertain the availability of laboratory facilities in selected secondary schools and also to source for the WAEC result for a period of four years (2012-2015). The instruments were validated by three science educators from Federal University of Technology, Minna and two experts from Niger State Ministry of Education. The reliability of the Questionnaire was determined using split half method and r= 0.82 was obtained. The data collected were analyzed using Cronbach alpha. While the academic achievement and availability of laboratory facilities scores were computed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation formula. The result revealed that deficiency in the availability of laboratory facilities affects students' achievement in Biology. Comparison in gender achievement showed that female students' achievement exceeded that of male despite the fact that they face the same challenges in terms of inadequacy of laboratory facilities. It was therefore recommended that the relevant regulatory authorities should provide the necessary needed Biology facilities for schools.