Challenges Facing Effective Use Of Geography Instructional Resources By Teachers In Public Secondary Schools, Bureti Sub-County, Kericho County-Kenya

ABSTRACT

Teaching and learning resources greatly influence standard and quality of education since they affect the teaching and learning process at all levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing effective use of learning resources in public secondary schools in Bureti sub-county .The specific objectives of this study were:- to determine the instructional resources needed in the teaching and learning of Geography in Bureti sub-county secondary schools, to the extent to which instructional resources are used in the teaching and learning of Geography in Bureti sub-county secondary schools and to suggest strategies to overcome challenges facing the utilization of instructional resources in Bureti sub-county secondary schools. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study‘s population comprised of forty five schools, fifteen thousand two hundred and seventeen students and seventy seven Geography teachers. Nine public schools were selected for study using purposive sampling techniques based on school categories and students‘ gender composition such as one county boy and girl and three mixed schools, one girls and three mixed sub-county schools. The study used stratified sampling to collect data from Ten Geography teachers and three hundred and forty two form two students. Piloting was carried out in two schools within the sub-county that were not included in the study. Errors encountered during piloting were corrected before the main study and instrument were tested for reliability validity and clarity. The data were collected using questionnaires for students and teachers. An interview schedule was administered to HOD and resources checklist used to find out the resources available in schools. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency tables, percentages, pie charts and graphs. The study revealed that instructional resources like textbooks were used but they are inadequate. It also found that textbooks, globe and maps were frequently used while diorama, internet and radio were rarely used. The study showed that most of the teachers never used computer at all since most of them are not computer literate and for those who used, minimal time is allocated to them. The study also revealed that most of the teachers never used field trip as it requires a lot of time and finance to which most of the school do not give priority. The study recommends that serious training and re-training of teachers inform of workshops, seminars, in-service on how to produce or improvise instructional resources for the learning/teaching of Geography. It also recommends that there is need for the development of positive attitude by teachers towards the use of instructional materials for their students. This will encourage the development of their proficiency