Investigation of Provision and Utilization of Laboratory Facilities and Students’ Performance in Practical Biology in Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the provision and utilization of laboratory facilities as a function of students’ performance in practical biology among the senior secondary schools in Gombe State. Three hundred and seventeen (317) SS III students and their biology teachers were used as sample for the study. Three instruments, Biology Laboratory Facilities Inventory, Biology Laboratory Facilities Utilization Scale and the Students’ Test of Practical Biology were used to collect data. The data collected were expressed in percentages (%) and analyzed using Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that there was a deficiency in the availability and utilization of biology laboratory facilities. It also revealed that there was significant relationship between availability and utilization of facilities with students’ performance in practical biology at 0.05 level of significance. The study recommended that the state ministry of education needed to provide the necessary practical facilities for schools offering biology. It should also encourage the training of teachers as well as support them to attend and participate in workshops and seminars.