AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE TERACHING OF BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EGOR LGA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study empirically assesses the availability and use of instructional materials for the teaching of biology in secondary schools in Egor LGA in Edo state. Types and uses of instructional materials, importance of instructional materials, Challenges and strategies to minimize challenges that teachers face in accessing quality instructional materials were explored. In pursuance of the research objectives, teachers of forty (40) schools in Egor LGA constituted the study’s population. Selecting two (2) teachers each, non-proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw up 20 secondary schools biology teacher from the entire population of 40 secondary schools which thus constitute the total sample size. The information gathered from the respondents was analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and mean. The hypothesis was tested using SPSS. The study revealed that instructional materials for teaching biology are moderately available in schools for teachers in Egor LGA but most are not adequate. In the light of these findings, the study recommended that schools should adequately staff qualified biology teachers, organize training programmes to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills for practical work in order to enhance service delivery. In addition, the financial assistance to schools for the acquisition of instructional aids should be sustained and reviewed upwards on regular basis to ensure provision of the Biology resources. Most importantly the use of the material resources should be monitored to ensure proper and adequate utilization by the teachers.