FACTORS AFFECTING THE CONDUCT OF BIOLOGY PRACTICAL IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONITSHA EDUCATION ZONE, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated factors affecting the conduct of Biology practical in public secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977), which explains that learning occurs through observation, imitation, and hands-on experience. Biology practical activities therefore require adequate laboratory facilities and effective teacher guidance for meaningful learning outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised all Senior Secondary School (SS1–SS3) Biology students and Biology teachers in the 29 public secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone, with a total population of 14,767 respondents (14,680 students and 87 teachers) based on NEMIS (2022/2023) data. A sample of 461 respondents was selected using the Taro Yamane formula and proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Factors Affecting Biology Practical Questionnaire (FABPQ). The instrument was validated by experts in Biology Education, Measurement and Evaluation, and Educational Psychology, and its reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.82. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The findings revealed that 85.1% of respondents agreed that inadequate laboratory facilities and reagents hinder the conduct of Biology practical. Also, 78.3% agreed that shortage of qualified Biology teachers affects practical instruction, while 72.6% identified student-related factors such as large class size and poor attitude as constraints. Furthermore, 81.4% of respondents agreed that schools with inadequate Biology practical facilities record lower WAEC Biology performance compared to schools with adequate facilities. The study concluded that laboratory-related, teacher-related, and student-related factors significantly affect the effective conduct of Biology practical in public secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone. It was recommended that government and school administrators should provide adequate laboratory facilities, employ qualified Biology teachers, reduce class size, and strengthen practical-based instruction to improve students’ performance in Biology.