UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

ABSTRACT: The study investigated Utilization of educational resources for teaching and academic performance of secondary school students in Agricultural Science. The study was conducted in Essien Udim Local Government Area. The study population comprised of all the SS1 students who were 900 students. The study sample size was 60 students. Two research questions and two research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significant. The instrument for data collection was Agricultural Science Academic Performance result in the 1st terminal examination 2016/2017 academic session. Hence, it was recommended that only qualified teachers should be employed and it should not be a case of sentiment, a well equipped laboratory, library should be provided, adequate instructional materials should be used by teachers while teaching Agricultural Science.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

According to Adeyemi and Adu (2010), it is widely accepted that education is one of the leading instruments for promoting economic development as it encompasses some processes individuals go through to help them develop and utilize their potentials. Further, Okeke (2007) pointed out that though education, individuals acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that are necessary for effective living. This is the reason why in all modern nations, investment in education of the youth is considered most vital. According to Onsonmu, Multaka, Nqwame and Kosimbe (2001), secondary education is an important sub-sector of education in the preparation of human capital for development and provision of life opportunities as it provides a link between basic education and the world of work on one hand and further training on the other. However, quality education cannot be achieved without the utilization of education resources which play an important role in the achievement of educational goals and objectives. According to Adeogun and Ofisila (2008) educational resources can be categorized into four groups, that is human, materials, physical and financial resources.

UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Educational resources refer to those resources that are used to achieve educational objectives. Educational resources according to Usman (2007) are central to the educational processes because they play an important role in the achievement of educational goals and objectives since they facilitate teacher’s work and accelerate learning on the part of the students. Hallack (1990) emphasized that the availability of relevant educational resources contributes to academic achievement and that unattractive school building, crowded classroom, non-availability of playground and surrounding that have no aesthetic beauty can contribute to poor academic performance. Further, Kembal (1995) in a study of the relationship between educational resources and students’ performance in Lagos noted a very strong positive significance relationship between instructional resources and academic performance. He also said that schools with more resources performed better than schools with less endowed resources. This collaborated with the findings of a study conducted by Babayon (1999) that private schools because of availability and adequacy of teaching and learning resources performs better than public schools.

Teaching is a complex and demanding task that requires highly specialized skills, knowledge and resources to impact significantly on students’ learning. Availability and utilization of resources of any organization is important to achieving its goals and objectives. Students’ learning outcome is influenced by appropriate utilization of educational resources. Investing in educational resources is the key to ensuring that schools become institutions where students work together, learn from each other and benefit from a positive school environment, consequently, enabling students learn so as to achieve full learning potentials (United Nations Scientific and Cultural Orgnization (UNESCO, 2007). The physical, human and financial resources invested in schools influences not only the education provided to students but also leaders and students motivation which leads to better educational outcome.

According to Okorie (2010) students’ learning outcome in schools is largely dependent on availability of educational resources, because the students acquire skills using these resources. These resources include buildings, playground, furniture, books, instructional materials amongst others. These facilities play a pivotal role in the actualization of educational goals and objectives. Abayomi and Alukayode (2006) states that educational resources in schools are important in education because learning takes place through discovery, exploitation and interaction with the internal and external environment. The adequacy of physical resources and instructional materials as well as their effective utilization has been a matter of serious concern to educators. The utilization of educational resources in education brings about fruitful learning outcomes since it stimulates and motivates students (Okorie, 2001). Wenglinsky (2005) reported that research has consistently highlighted that appropriate utilization of educational resources in schools is a key determinant to students’ achievement academically. Johan (2004) states that educational outcomes in schools is closely linked to utilization and adequacy of teaching/learning resources in different ways such as poor utilization, under-utilization and unqualified educators which brings forth low educational achievement. In 2003, the government came up with fund to support the utilization of educational resources such as textbooks, exercise books, laboratory equipments and chemicals, teaching and learning aids, reference materials, teacher’s guide, chalk, dusters and registers.

Availability of teaching and learning resources (TLR) enhance the effectiveness of schools as these are basic things that can bring about good academic performance amongst students. Malachi (2003) opined that all institutions or organizations are made up of human beings (workers) and other non-human resources. He further asserts that when the right quantity and quality of human resources are brought together, it can manipulate other resources towards realization of institutional goals and objectives. These human resources in the education sector include teachers and other supporting staff which contribute greatly to the achievement of educational goals. Therefore, it is very vital to have a sufficient and adequate human resources in terms of teacher’s quality for the teaching of all subjects in the school curriculum. The teacher implements the goals of education which can never be achieved without the utilization of educational resources in schools. The Nigerian Policy on Education (NPE) (2010) spelt out that schools should be properly and uniformly equipped to promote sound and effective learning. However, scarcity of these resources in schools according to Johan (2004) will constrain educational system for responding more fully to new demand. In order to raise the quality of education, its efficiency and productivity, Kennedy (2006) also stressed the important of having appropriate personnel plan and adequate physical facilities to support educational efforts.

Due to assertion of other investigators above, the researcher has decided to investigate into the utilization of educational resources for teaching and academic performance of secondary school students studying agricultural sciences in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Each year when the result of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) are released, there has always been a problem of poor performance in Agricultural Science. The reason for this is not far from the lack of utilization and availability of educational resources in our schools and colleges throughout the country. Moreso, in school examinations throughout the country there has been a problem of poor performance in Agricultural Science due to lack of adequate teaching/learning resources.

This research work is aimed at determining the influence of utilization of educational resources and students’ academic performance in agricultural science in secondary schools.

UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of the study was to examine the influence of utilization of educational resources on the academic performance of agricultural science students in secondary schools in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

The specific purposes include:

  1. To determine if there is any influence in the utilization of qualified agricultural science teaches/staff on the academic performance of Agricultural Science students.
  2. To determine if there is any influence in the utilization of instructional materials on agricultural science students’ performance in secondary schools.

1.4       Significance of the Study

The result of this study will be used by students, teachers, curriculum planners, school authorities and the society at large. The students will use the result of this study in their learning by giving priorities to the uses of available educational resources in their schools so as to better their performance. This is because learning is a process through which knowledge, skills, habits, ideas and principles are acquired, retained and utilized and the only means of achieving this is through the use of instructional materials.

The study would help enhance teachers’ teaching effectiveness and productivity. This is in line with the assertion of Ekweme and Igwe (2001) who noted that it is only a teacher who will guarantee effective and adequate usage of educational resources and thereby facilitate success. This study is also significant to the educational system and curriculum implementation is not just an activity between the teachers and learners but also involves proper utilization and interaction with instructional materials and supportive equipment. In this era of private sector involvement in education, it is essential to ensure that the minimum standard are met by new institutions before approval or commencement of studies is given, because different instructional materials are required for the various subjects such as in the sciences, technical and vocational subjects (Eddie, 2006).

The study is also significant to the society because when teachers solidify their teaching with adequate and relevant instructional materials and the learners learn effectively, the knowledge acquired will reflect in the society.

Originally posted on June 14, 2021 @ 3:37 pm

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Peter Hezekiah Lawson (Sir Pee). The CEO of onlineproject.com.ng. A reputable researcher, Web Developer, ICT Instructor and a publisher of many research works in Education.