International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue XII, December 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Musa W. O.*, Akuba J. C., Gloria S. A.
Chemistry Department, College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
*Correspondent Author
Abstract: The study investigated the impact of chemistry practicals on students’ performance in chemistry of public secondary schools of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Akwanga, Nasarawa-Eggon and Wamba LGA in Nasarawa North Senatorial zone. This study utilized a quantitative approach, with a quasi-experimental design. The design was in form of pre and post-test. Questionnaire was used to collect data. The main population for the study comprised all the public secondary schools offering chemistry in the zone from which 15 sample schools was selected using a combination of stratified, purposive and systematic sampling procedures. It involved 30 chemistry teachers `and 300 SS2 chemistry students comprising 200 boys and 100 girls. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used and independent samples t-tests. The study established that the use of chemistry practicals in teaching and learning of chemistry at secondary schools greatly improved performance. The findings shows that there was a significant difference in performance between students who studied chemistry through practicals and those who studied chemistry without practicals. The study recommends intensive in-service training for chemistry teachers in practical work management and latest research to improve their practices.
Keywords: Chemistry, Practicals, Academic performance, Secondary School, Impact
I. INTRODUCTION
Chemistry is one of the subjects that is offer in the Nigeria secondary school curriculum. It is an important part of what is called science and an active and continually growing science that contribute to national development [5]. According to Ogunkola [14], chemistry is characterized as the most utilitarian of all the experimental sciences. For example, in Nigeria Universities, a good grade in chemistry is a prerequisite for joining all professional science courses like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, Agriculture science, Engineering and many others. Poor performance in the subject means fewer students are able to join such professions, therefore lack of enough professionals leading to low health care provision and food insecurity in the country. Chemistry is known to be the science that has the most direct and dramatic impact on our lives, and the science that shapes the world we will live in tomorrow, the performance of students in the subject is a major concern to any developing country [12]. The uniqueness of chemistry and the central role that it stands to play in the development of any nation when considered, are however, not evident in the performance of the students. The poor performance in chemistry in the national examinations (NECO/WASSCE by many candidates has been a subject of debate since the