IDENTIFICATION OF CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY BIOLOGY STUDENTS IN PLANTING, NURTURING AND PROTECTION OF PLANTS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WITHIN FCE KATSINA.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the Factors that hinders effective learning of chemistry as possible solution at senior secondary schools in Katsina metropolis. The objectives of this study is to determine factors that hinders effective learning of Chemistry and also to determine possible solution to the hindrance of effective learning of chemistry. Two Research questions were raised to guide the study as what are the factors that hinder effective learning of chemistry. What is the possible solution to the hindrance of effective learning of Chemistry? The research design to be use in this study is descriptive survey research. The target population consisted of five senior secondary schools with a population of eleven thousand seven hundred and forty-eight students (11,748). A sample of three hundred and seventy-five (375) were randomly selected in Katsina metropolis using simple random sampling by balloting. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire which was distributed to the teachers and students by the researcher. The instrument was validated and reliable with 0.78 correlation coefficient. The procedure used in administering the instrument (questionnaire) is by direct distribution to the group concerned that is the students in the five (05) selected secondary schools. However, using simple percentage, mean and standard deviation was used as a method of data analysis. Thus, the finding of the result showed that positive response to the fact that they study Chemistry to pass examination, which implies they do not understand it, this explains poor students’ attitude towards learning Chemistry, also, effective teaching and learning of Chemistry with evidence from the analysis that 53.3% of the students does not have Chemistry textbooks for further practice of Chemistry exercise to enhance effective learning of it, it also revealed that, the government through its new science policy aims at enhancing student’s empirical and scientific competence of their secondary education but does not play most notable role in making sure that Chemistry is well taught because it has failed to provide; a well-equipped and usable library according to 90.0% of the students responding. In conclusion, this study has shown that learners and teachers do well when they are motivated and when enough teaching and learning facilities are provided for them. The failure of the government to adequately provide instructional materials and facilities which are important for effective learning of chemistry as possible solution at senior secondary schools in Katsina metropolis. The researcher recommended that More qualified teachers should be employed in order to decongest the classrooms. If a class is over-populated, the teachers will find it difficult to mark tests and assignments given to the students. Also a well equipped, functional and usable laboratory should be installed in our High schools. Relevant audio-visual aids should be provided. Also students should be encouraged to Learn Chemistry in order to understand so that they could have better understanding of their world and not just to read to pass examinations.