ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to identify topics perceived difficult by chemistry students in Nigerian secondary schools. Nighty SS III chemistry students were randomly selected from three schools and fourteen chemistry teachers from fourteen schools in Oredo local government area in Benin City, Edo state. Criteria used to select school was purposive in which three schools were selected comprising of one(1) all male school, one(1) all female school and one (1) mixed school. Questionnaire was administered to the respondent. Mean and percentages were used to analyze research data collected. Findings showed that student perceived 15 topics (58%) as difficult to comprehend, while teachers perceive 9 topics (34%) as difficult to teach. From this study, some of the remedies to reverse this trend are, increased number of practical classes, more exercises should be given on specific unit that is found to be difficult, employing more experienced chemistry teachers, stronger foundation in mathematics and teacher to be taught current methodology in science.