Secondary School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Practical Work In Biology In Oshana Education Region.

ABSRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the Biology teachers’ perceptions of the importance of practical work in selected secondary schools in the Oshana Education Region. The study also sought to find out whether the selected secondary schools in the OER had all the necessary resources needed to conduct meaningful practical lessons in Biology. This study sought to answer the following research questions: 1. What are the Secondary School teachers’ perceptions of the importance of practical work in Biology in Oshana Education Region? 2. How do Biology teachers in Oshana Education Region perceive the use of practical work during instruction? 3. To what extent is practical work done in Biology classrooms in the Oshana Education Region? 4. Do Secondary Schools in Oshana education region have all the necessary resources for conducting practical lessons in Biology? This study was situated in both the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The population of this study consisted of all 13 Secondary Schools in the OER which offer Biology as a subject at Grade 11 and 12 levels. Eight Secondary Schools in the OER were randomly selected to take part in this study. A sample comprising of 23 Biology teachers was then chosen purposively from the 8 Secondary Schools. A questionnaire and an observation schedule were used to collect the data for this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and included frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. Qualitative data were categorised into themes that emerged from the data.