A SURVEY ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR THE TEACHING OF BIOLOGY

ABSTRACT

Instructional materials play a crucial role in delivering quality education. This research assesses the availability and utilization of instructional materials in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey research approach, data was collected from eighteen (18) Biology teachers across eleven (11) public schools. The study aims to answer three research questions. Questionnaires were used for data collection, and analysis employed simple percentage and mean calculations. Findings reveal insufficiencies in instructional materials, notably the absence of laboratories and essential equipment like microscopes and specimen slides for practicals in most schools. While teachers utilize available resources, certain materials like live specimens, multimedia aids, and computer-aided instruction are underutilized or entirely absent. Factors impeding effective use include limited availability, insufficient teacher training, time constraints, large class sizes, technological challenges, financial limitations, and maintenance difficulties. Recommendations include ensuring adequate provision of materials by government and school authorities, supervising teacher activities to promote resource utilization, employment of qualified teachers and enhancing teacher qualifications through training, establishing biology laboratories, and encouraging active use of available materials for teaching and learning of biology in schools.