ABSTRACT
This study investigated the challenges of teaching Chemistry practical in Nigerian secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. In other to guide the study, eight research questions were raised. If senior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area have Chemistry laboratory, Chemistry laboratory facilities are available in the Chemistry laboratory, and Chemistry laboratory facilities are used for Chemistry practical. What are the challenges militating against the effective teaching of chemistry practical in senior secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State as perceived by chemistry teachers. If there are adequate laboratory facilities and equipment for the teaching of Chemistry practical and enough qualified laboratory personnel and adequate safety measures to protect laboratory personnel and students against hazardous chemicals during practical sessions in Chemistry laboratories in senior secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. What is the level of government commitment towards the funding and equipping of Chemistry laboratories to aid the teaching of Chemistry practical in senior secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The sample comprised 40 selected teachers from both public (20) and private (20) schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area. This study used one set of response instrument which is the questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to gather information relating to the challenges of teaching Chemistry practical in Nigerian secondary schools (a case study of selected secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State). The research instrument was validated by the project supervisor, Dr. (Mrs.) O. D. Osa-Omoregie, and another lecturer, Dr. (Mrs.) J. H. Osarunwese, which corrections were made and later approved for administration. The study used a significance level of 0.05. The response from the questionnaire after administration was analyzed using the frequency count and simple percentage method of analysis.
The results of this study revealed that: majority of the secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area have chemistry laboratories, most secondary schools in Ovia North East have chemistry equipment in their schools, all the secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government do not effectively engage the schools in chemistry practical for effective chemistry learning, chemistry students in Ovia North East Local Government do not have free access to personally use laboratory facilities in schools and that students have interest in chemistry despite the fact that they lack some chemistry facilities and they do not have access to chemistry practical on a weekly basis, chemistry laboratory facilities in chemistry laboratories in secondary school in Ovia North East are adequate, there are enough qualified laboratory personnel in senior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, there are no adequate safety measures in chemistry laboratory to protect students and teachers against hazardous chemicals during practical, government is not committed towards the funding and equipping of chemistry laboratories to and the teaching of Chemistry in Ovia North east Local Government Area.Due to the findings of this study, the researcher recommends that: the government should provide funds and adequate educational facilities to schools to enhance the teaching and learning processes, the teachers should encourage the use of apparatus for the teaching of the students for maximum benefits, teachers should be able to undergo special training in audio visual instruction, supervisors should be appointed to school for schools to make sure the laboratory are equitably equipped.
