AVAILABILITY OF LABORATORY RESOURCES FOR CONDUCTING BIOLOGY PRACTICALS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Science has been considered as the bedrock upon which the modern day technological breakthrough is built and to achieve this, the inculcations of the scientific principles demands the initiation of a child right from the early stage of life. All scientific research and experiments are done in the laboratory. Laboratory is seen as a room equipped for scientific research. Many secondary schools are not measuring up to standard of the required resources in the laboratory, thus this study which is concerned with the assessment of laboratory resources for conducting biology practicals in secondary schools in Minna metropolis, Niger state tends to find out the availability, adequacy, functionality and maintenance of biology laboratory resources. The study adopted a descriptive survey research method which used questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Five specific objectives and five research questions were raised to help the study. Literatures were reviewed under conceptual frame work, theoretical work and empirical studies. The population of the study comprised of biology teachers in Nigeria and the target population comprised of all the 81 biology teachers in the 23 public secondary schools in Minna metropolis made up of Bosso and Chanchaga local government. The sample size of this study comprised of 69 biology teachers which was determined using Morgan’s Table and thus three respondents were selected each representing a school. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection is divided into six (6) sections and comprised of138 items. The instrument was validated by four experts and trial tested for reliability. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage table. The result of the findings indicated that there are biology laboratories in public secondary schools in Minna metropolis. Biology laboratory resources are available for conducting biology practicals in Minna metropolis, though modern laboratory resources like incubator, drying oven, projector, refrigerator, and autoclave are not available. The study also revealed that the laboratory facilities available are adequate, functional and maintained in public secondary schools in Minna metropolis. There is no proper repair of damaged materials, no replacement of damaged materials, no training of staff and students, no payment of laboratory dues and there is no award giving to deserving staff and students. Recommendations and suggestions were made for further studies.