EFFECTS OF AVAILABILITY AND USE OF LABORATORIES ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KINONDONI

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to examine effects of availability and use of laboratories on students’ performance in science subjects in community secondary schools. The study was conducted in six community secondary schools in Kinondoni municipality. The study examined the availability of laboratories, examine the use of laboratories, and assess the availability of science teachers, and science teachers ’perceptions how laboratories availability influence students’ performance in science subjects. The problem was that students’ performance in science subjects is appalling in community secondary schools. Survey research design was used and the study employed quantitative approaches where observation, checklist, school records and likert scales were used for data collection. The sample of the study included 6 heads of schools, 6 schools and 36 science teachers. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentages and ratio. Findings revealed that schools did not have laboratories; instead they had science rooms which lacked laboratory space. It was noted that apparatus and chemicals were either insufficient or absent in all sampled schools; instead schools improvised those equipment by using locally available materials in their environment. Experiments were done in large groups with little students. There was an acute shortage of science teachers. It was recommended that, policy makers need to ensure that students enrolment should match with the availability of laboratory facilities, more laboratory need to be built in schools and more science teachers be trained.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CERTIFICATION.................................................................................................... ii

COPYRIGHT............................................................................................................ iii

DECLARATION...................................................................................................... iv

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................ v

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................. vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................ vii

LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................... xi

LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................ 1

1.0 BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM....................... 1

1.1 Background to the Problem................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem....................................................................................... 5

1.3 Purpose  and Objectives of the Study.................................................................... 6

1.4.ResearchTasks and Questions................................................................................ 6

1.5,Significance of the Study....................................................................................... 8

1.6 Limitations of the study......................................................................................... 8

1.7 Delimitation of the Study...................................................................................... 9

1.8 Conceptual Framework.......................................................................................... 9

1.9 Organization of the Study.................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER TWO..................................................................................................... 11

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................ 11

2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 11

2.2 The Concept and Rationale for Teaching Science............................................... 11

2.3 The Concept of Community Secondary Schools................................................. 12

2.4 Approaches of Teaching and Learning Science................................................... 13

2.5 Science Practical as a Teaching Mode.................................................................. 14

2.6 The Role of Practical Work in Teaching and Learning of Science Subjects........ 14

2.7 Practical Sciences in Schools................................................................................ 16

2.8 Science Laboratory Teaching in Global perspective............................................ 17

2.8 Science Laboratory Teaching in Developing Countries....................................... 19

2.9 Science Laboratory Teaching in Tanzania............................................................ 19

2.10 Knowledge Gap................................................................................................. 21

CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................ 23

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................................... 23

3.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 23

3.2 Research Approach.............................................................................................. 23

3.3 Research Design................................................................................................... 23

3.4 Study Area........................................................................................................... 24

3.5 Target Population................................................................................................. 24

3.5.1 The Sample of the Study................................................................................... 24

3.5.2 Sampling Procedures......................................................................................... 25

3.5.2.1 Purposive Sampling Techniques Used........................................................... 26

3.6 Instruments for Data Collection........................................................................... 26

3.6.1 Attitude Scales.................................................................................................. 26

3.6.2 Observation Checklist....................................................................................... 27

3.6.3 Review of School Records................................................................................ 27

3.7 Validation of the Instruments.............................................................................. 28

3.8 Data Analysis Procedures.................................................................................... 28

3.9 Ethical Considerations Taken into Account......................................................... 28

CHAPTER FOUR................................................................................................... 30

4.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION................................................. 30

4.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 30

4.2 Availability of Laboratories in Community Secondary Schools.......................... 30

4.2.1 Laboratories Prescription by the Ministry of Education................................... 30

4.2.2 Laboratory Rules and Safety Measures............................................................ 36

4.2.3 Laboratories Apparatus, Chemicals, Models and Specimen............................. 36

4.2.3.1 Laboratory Apparatus.................................................................................... 36

4.2.4 Availability of Chemicals in the Six Sampled Schools..................................... 38

4.2.5 Laboratory Teaching Models............................................................................ 40

4.2.6 Specimen for Biology Subject Teaching........................................................... 43

4.3 Laboratory Use..................................................................................................... 44

4.3.1 Timetable on use of Laboratories...................................................................... 44

4.3.2 Classroom Observation on the use of Laboratory............................................. 45

4.4 Availability of Human Resources in Community Secondary Schools................. 47

4.4.1 Availability of Human Resources, Laboratory and Use of Laboratory on Students Performance       49

4.5 Perceptions of Teachers on the Availability and Use of Laboratories................. 52

4.6 Summary of the Chapter...................................................................................... 55

CHAPTER FIVE..................................................................................................... 56

5.0  DISCUSSION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS....................................... 56

5.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 56

5.2 Availability of Laboratories in CSS..................................................................... 56

5.3 Use of laboratories............................................................................................... 58

5.4 Availability of Human Resources........................................................................ 61

5.5 Teachers’ Perceptions on the Availability and Use of Laboratory....................... 63

CHAPTER SIX........................................................................................................ 64

6.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATION.......................... 64

6.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 64

6.2 Summary of Study............................................................................................... 64

6.2.1 Availability of Laboratories in CSS.................................................................. 64

6.2.2 Use of Laboratories........................................................................................... 65

6.2.3 Availability of Human Resources..................................................................... 65

6.2.4 Teachers Opinions............................................................................................. 66

6.3 Conclusion Based on the Finding........................................................................ 66

6.3.2 Availability of Laboratories in CSS.................................................................. 66

6.3.3 Use of Laboratories in CSS............................................................................... 66

6.3.4 Availability of Human Resources..................................................................... 67

6.3.5 Teachers’ Opinions............................................................................................ 67

6.4 Recommendations................................................................................................ 67

6.4.1 Practical Recommendations.............................................................................. 67

6.4.2 Policy Recommendation................................................................................... 68

6.4.3 Recommendations for Further Studies............................................................. 68

REFERENCES........................................................................................................ 69

APPENDICES......................................................................................................... 77

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Students Enrollment in Kinondoni Municipality Sampled Schools.......... 25

Table 3.2: Sample Composition for the Study........................................................... 25

Table 4.1: Availability of Laboratories in Community Secondary Schools............... 31

Table 4.2 Availability of Apparatus in Sampled School............................................ 37

Table 4.3: Laboratory Chemicals in six Sampled Schools.......................................... 39

Table 4.4: Availability of Models in the six Sampled Schools................................... 41

Table 4.5: Availability of Science Teachers in Sampled Schools............................... 48

Table 4.6: Performance of Students in CSEE 2010 – 2012 for Science Subjects..... 50

Table 4.7: Pass Grades in Science Subjects in the Year 2011 and 2012.................... 51

Table 4.8 Teachers’ Perceptions on the Availability of Laboratories (N=36)............ 53

Table 4.9: Teachers’ Perceptions on Use of Laboratories.......................................... 54