Student’s Characteristics and the Learning of Chemistry in Secondary Schools

ABSTRACT: This study examined Student’s Characteristics and the Learning of Chemistry in Secondary Schools. Three hypotheses were formulated for the study. The design of the study was survey design. The population of the study was all teachers in the five (5) secondary schools and one hundred (100) selected chemistry teachers formed the sample size of the study. The instrument used in gathering data was questionnaire designed after two Linket model of Yes/No, 15 items structured questions were developed and administered on 100 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using simply percentage and statistical method.

Based on the analysis, the findings showed that there is a significant difference between the performance of students in chemistry and their characteristics and it effect on the learning of chemistry and there is significant relationship in the learning of chemistry and students characteristics. Recommendations were made that government should endeavour to increase teachers’ salaries so that the teaching of chemistry can be effectively enhanced.  

Student’s Characteristics and the Learning of Chemistry in Secondary Schools

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

Education by and large is viewed as the string broad to accelerated social mobility as well as the socio-economic growth and development of the society (Nkang, 2002). Indeed, Nsofor (2002) opines that every nation in the world regardless of its state of development use education to pursue their development objectives by way of moulding the citizenry in skills, attitudes and vision. As a result, no meaningful national development can take place without education.

Therefore, every nation accords education some priority attention since education can generate in the citizenry attitudes that are favourable to modernization, industrial, growth, democratic ideas and the rise of the patriotic feelings. Perhaps, this contention informed the Nigerian state in her national policy on education to adopt education as an instrument per excellence for effective National Development. (Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004).

Unfortunately over the last couple of years there had been this hue and cry over the poor academic performance of students at all levels in Nigeria Schools (Ekanem, 2008) some scholars have stated some reasons for this which include learners’ commitments and dedication to education, the non-Challant attitudes of parents, government poor funding of schools, lack of dedication on the part of teachers (Robbert 1995).

Student’s Characteristics and the Learning of Chemistry in Secondary Schools

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Education is supposed to equip the individual with the knowledge; skill, aptitudes, value and attitudes to enable him or her live a life of functionality and self-reliance on our modern complex society. Over the years, the poor academic performance of students in public examinations have been seen to be caused by inadequate physical facilities, earners attitudes to education poor management and administration and poor funding of schools, etc. These reasons can also be attributed for the poor earning of chemistry in our educational institutions.