IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY IN IDEMILI-SOUTH LGA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study was on the identification of factors that influence the effective integration of practical activities in teaching secondary school chemistry in Idemili South L.G.A. Anambra State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and was guided by two research questions. 27 chemistry teachers in the 13 public secondary schools in Idemili South LGA formed the population for the study and the entire population was used for the study. A questionnaire constructed by the researchers which consists of 21 items, drawn on a four-point scale was used to collect data for the study. Validation of the research instruments was carried out by three experts from the Department of Science Education, Department of Education Foundation and an experienced secondary school chemistry teacher. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a co-efficient value of 0.83. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires by the researchers.  Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings revealed among others that integration of practical activities in teaching chemistry in secondary school in Idemili-South LGA of Anambra State was not encouraging. There is limited time for Chemistry teaching and learning. Many schools do not have conducive and well equipped chemistry laboratories. Workshops on the training of the trainers are not adequate. The study recommended among others that well equipped laboratories should be made available for effective integration of practical work during teaching and learning of chemistry. Also quality time should be allotted in teaching practical-oriented subjects in secondary schools and training of the trainers workshops should be held tenaciously.