AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY ON THE VIEWS OF BIOLOGY STUDENTS ON THE PROBLEMS OF LABORATORY MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Secondary school level is the bridge between the primary and tertiary levels. Secondary education is as paramount to human as the air we breathe, and it wheels towards creating or making opportunities for education available for all primary school leavers despite their sex, social status, religious or ethnic background; differences in talents, opportunities and future roles; provide trained manpower in the applied science, technology and commerce at sub-professional grades; enhance and encourage Nigerian languages and culture in the ambient of world’s cultural heritage; encourage all students with the urge or zest for personal growth, enhancement and attainment of perfection; speed up National oneness together with a pointer on the common relationships that unite us in our diversity; elevate a generation of people that has the ability and desire to think for themselves, respect the ideas and feelings of others, etc. irrespective of the serious attempts to make quality education available for students, the secondary school system have over the years faced difficulties that could damage and weaken the quality of education provided. One of the major and under looked problem is poor Laboratory management. The standard, level of Laboratory management in secondary school system seems below the expected standard. This is because there are infrastructural and human capital insufficiencies. Laboratory management task eclipse planning practical’s and lessons, making available for the students a conducive learning and practical environment, teaching students which is probably the most difficult task of all, is appropriately adding up to the students’ behavioral problems. This task is one of the most paramount that teachers face every day which need them to work energetically and continuously to maintain a positive Laboratory atmosphere.

Laboratory teachers are seen and called Laboratory managers because of the roles they play in organizing and taking care of learning activities, instructional procedures, the prevailing attitudes, feeling and atmosphere in the Laboratory. Teaching and Laboratory management are two things that cannot be separated from each other because productive Laboratory management is known by effective discipline which is seen as a guide, training of the mind, and subjection to school rules and regulations. Despite the fact that discipline may seem too harsh and opposed by the students, it is the most important fact in safe guarding effective Laboratory management and a good academic performance of students which leads to quality education.

The laboratory is a room or place with adequate and needed equipment for teaching science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc) or performing scientific task. The science teacher, being the manager and caretaker of the laboratory is most expected to organize the available material and human resources to make sure effective and productive learning and practical’s is assured, of which the optimum safety of the students is not excluded.

The Laboratory is an operational venue in schools which holds students together for learning and practical’s and also gives them the opportunity of attaining the chief aim of education. It is also known as a place in a school where a group of students are taught the practical aspects of what they were taught in Biology class, Chemistry, not to mention but a few. Therefore, the Laboratory should be properly managed and maintained to yield a healthy learning environment, completely free from behavioral challenges. The quality of a schools laboratory environment has huge impact on the performance of teachers and also that of students. Laboratory management can therefore be explained as the lab attendants, teachers’ ability to synergistically manage time, space, resources, students’ roles and behaviors to secure a climate that encourages learning.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The lack of adequate maintenance of biology laboratories and their lack of safety during practical have resulted to Students’ poor performances which have been a serious problem recently as it has urgently called for adequate maintenance of laboratories in Nigerian secondary schools. These scenarios of poor performance have crippled our educational system as most parents/guardians prefer to send their children abroad than risk poor academic performances from their children.

1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objective of the study is to investigate the views of biology students on the problems of laboratory management and safety in secondary schools in Nigeria. Other specific aims of the study are to

1. To examine the need for effective maintenance of biology laboratories.
2. To examine the benefit of laboratory management and safety on students academic performance in biology.
3. To examine impact of laboratory management on educational development in Nigeria.
4. To recommend ways of improving laboratory maintenance in Nigerian secondary schools.

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the views of views of biology students on the problems of laboratory management and safety in secondary schools in Nigeria?
2. What is the need for effective maintenance of biology laboratories?
3. What is the benefit of laboratory management and safety on students’ academic performance in biology?
4. What is impact of laboratory management on educational development in Nigeria?
5. What are the ways of improving laboratory maintenance in Nigerian secondary schools?

1.5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Laboratory management does not improve students’ academic performance in biology.

H1: Laboratory management improves students’ academic performance in biology.

1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would be of immense importance to students, teachers and secondary school administrations as it would reveal the benefits of laboratory maintenance and safety practices in Nigerian secondary schools. The study would also benefit researchers and scholars who are interested in conducting a further research on the subject matter.

1.7. SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study is restricted to an investigative study on the views of biology students on the problems of laboratory management and safety in secondary schools in Ife, Osun state.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.