Perception Of Chemistry Teachers And Students On The Availability And Utilization Of Laboratory Equipment In Teaching And Learning Of Chemistry

This study was carried out to examine the perception of chemistry teachers and students on the availability and utilization of laboratory equipment in teaching and learning of chemistry using some selected secondary schools in Takum Education Zone of Taraba State as a case study. The study was specifically set to assess the perception of chemistry teachers and students on whether there is an adequate availability of laboratory equipment for the teaching and learning of Chemistry, assess the perception of chemistry teachers and students on whether the use of laboratory equipment promotes the effective teaching and learning of Chemistry in secondary schools, assess the perception of chemistry teachers and students on whether the use of laboratory equipment enhances students learning outcome in comprehension and retention of Chemistry in secondary school, assess the perception of chemistry teachers and students on whether the use of laboratory equipment during the teaching of Chemistry help to improve students learning experience and learning outcome in secondary school, and assess the perception of chemistry teachers and students on whether there is a significant difference in the performance of students taught using laboratory equipment and those taught in the theoretical lesson approach. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprises Chemistry teachers and students of some selected senior secondary schools in Takum Education Zone of Taraba State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 200 respondents while 150 were received and validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. The result of the findings reveals that there is no adequate availability of laboratory equipment for the teaching and learning of Chemistry. Furthermore, the result of the findings reveals that there is a significant difference in the performance of students taught using laboratory equipment and those taught in the theoretical lesson approach. In regard to the findings, the study recommends that it is evident that availability of laboratory facilities promote learning of the subjects. Therefore government and all other stakeholders of education should as a matter of priority make available these facilities in the schools. To mention but few.