Factors Affecting The Performance Of Chemistry Students In Senior Secondary School In Udi Local Government Area Enugu State

Factors Affecting The Performance Of Chemistry Students In Senior Secondary School In Udi Local Government Area Enugu State (Charles)
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study was specifically set to find out the school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, find out the ways teachers contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, find out the students factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, and find out the strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of chemistry teachers and students some selected secondary schools in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 229 respondents and 210 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using mean scores. While the hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry includes: school location, lack of qualified teachers, class size, and lack of school laboratory facilities. Furthermore the result of the findings reveals that the strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry includes: the use of audio-visual interactivity packages, provision of visual materials in the library, enhancement of students motivation, adoption of reinforcement practices, effective teacher-student communication. Therefore, it is recommended that to enhance effective instructional delivery and academic performance in chemistry, eclectic method of teaching which involves the combination of two or more instructional strategies should be adopted in lesson delivery by teachers of chemistry to enhance effectiveness in teaching and learning. To mention but a few.
Table of Content
- Title Page
- Certification
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Content
- List of Tables
- Abstract
Chapter One:
Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Objective of the Study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypothesis
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Definition of Terms
- 1.10 Organisations of the Study
Chapter Two:
Review of Literature
- 2.1 Conceptual Framework
- 2.2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three:
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research Design
- 3.2 Population of the Study
- 3.3 Sample Size Determination
- 3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
- 3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Validity of the Study
- 3.9 Reliability of the Study
- 3.10 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four:
Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Data Presentation
- 4.2 Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Answering Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
Chapter Five:
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
- 5.1 Summary
- 5.2 Conclusion
- 5.3 Recommendation
- References
- APPENDIX
- QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Chemistry is the scientific study of interaction of chemical substances that constitute atoms or the subatomic particles; protons, electrons and neutrons. It is an integral part of the science curriculum both at the senior secondary school as well as higher institutions. At this level, it is often called “general chemistry” which is an introduction to a wide variety of fundamental concepts that enables students to acquire tools and basic skills useful at the advanced level. One of the objectives of science education is to develop students’ interest towards science and technology. The development of any nation today depends greatly on its technological and scientific advancement. Teachers are expected to device ways of motivating their students to develop positive attitudes towards science and science related disciplines (Sola and Ojo, 2007). Chemistry, in particular is central to many of the scientific fields of human endeavors; therefore, teaching of chemistry should be given serious attention. Science teachers have always recognized the importance of practical work as a means of introducing learners to the scientific process of experimentation. To this end, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) have participated in numerous international meetings to promote inexpensive experimental based teaching in chemistry.
The performance of students in Senior Secondary Sciences in Nigeria has remained an issue of concern to all stake holders (Ajagun, 2000). The report by Ojerinde (1998) on the survey of the performance of candidates in Chemistry subjects in Nigeria over the years revealed a discernible decline. This perennial decline has remained a source of concern to Science educators and Chemistry educators (Nnaka and Anaekwe, 2004).
One of the major problems; facing the educational system in Nigeria is the abysmal failure of students in public examinations, particularly at the secondary level of education. According to Uduh (2009), the high percentage of candidates who failed WASSCE yearly is reflected in the low percentage of the candidates that meets the university admission requirements. The situation is so pathetic that stakeholders keep on wondering why this level of education has persistently failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the society. Apart from the fact that the poor performance of students in public examinations constitutes wastage on investment in secondary education, it puts a big question mark on the quality of secondary education in the country. Each time the results of students in Senior school Certificate Examination (SSCE) are released, it has been a tale of woes and national embarrassment.
As a result of this, it has been noted by some educational scholars in this discipline that students needs to improve themselves in order to achieve the set goals. In the content of the academic performance of students in various subjects, it is seen that the performance of students in term of academic in chemistry subjects demands improvement as a result of the relevance of the subject in other field of study. Although, students of nowadays put up poor performance in this important subject this is according to the result released by West African Examination Council (WAEC) in the last five years and even in Joint Admission and Matriculation Board(JAMB) examination and that of the National Examination Council(NECO). Therefore, if this problem continues to remain at the fundamental level of the course of study, it is pertinent to state assert that achieving the goals will be a little difficult if not checked now. Akinteru(1998) reported that chemistry teachers effectiveness in instructional delivery depends on their consideration of the nature of the subject during instructional planning. According to her, chemistry is not a subject that can be mastered by mere memorization of the basic rules. It requires total involvement of the learner in the learning process, sound theoretical intensive practice in the application of basic principles. To what extent the chemistry teachers involves this principles to teach chemistry is yet to be determined.
Akintelure(1998) blamed the problem on chemistry teachers insensitively to the nature of chemistry when planning instructional activities in the classroom. According to educational proponents, teaching methodologies has great influence in the outcome of the teaching learning process. The method that the teacher adopts will immeasurably determined how much he has achieved at the end of the day. The process of teaching chemistry entails the use of both verbal and non verbal teaching aids, problem solving techniques which involves posing a problem in relation to the subject with the extent of the understanding of the students so as to enable them to take active participation in the teaching and learning process. The present study is an attempt to determine the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Chemistry like every other science subject has an inestimable value which it had played and still playing definite and important roles in the world of science. However, the academic performance of students in the field of study in the selected schools has not being considered for major investigation but rather past researchers had limited their research on the overall academic performance of students which has made it impossible to determine how students perform in chemistry. It has been observed that despite the time allocated to the teaching of chemistry in secondary schools, students offering this subject tends to encounter some problems which leads to their poor performance and such problems among others are:
- Inadequate of teachers source
- Inadequate of teaching aids and instructional materials.
- Lack of motivation.
All these lapses prompted the researcher to undertake detail study on such retrogressive observation.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to find out the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Specifically, the study sought to find out if:-
- Find out the school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry.
- Find out the ways teachers contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry.
- Find out the students factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry.
- Find out the strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry.
1.4 Research Questions
The study will be guided by the following methods;
- What are the school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry?
- What are the ways teachers contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry?
- What are the students factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry?
- What are the strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry
1.5 Research Hypothesis
- Ho: There are no strategies for reducing poor performance of students in chemistry in secondary schools.
- Ha: There are strategies for reducing poor performance of students in chemistry in secondary schools.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This research will highlight suggested ways for improving academic performance of students in chemistry . The research will be relevant in the following areas:
- The research work will try to find out ways of encouraging the present and future students of the selected secondary school of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State so that they can have meaningful and personal relationship with their teachers.
- This study will also assist teachers of chemistry to design the appropriate methodology that fit into the curriculum of the subject.
- The research work will be of immense assistance to chemistry administrators especially the school principal, if the findings are thoroughly implemented.
- The study will help students harness both the newly developed strategies and the existing ones so as to lead to improvement in their academic performance.
- The findings of this study will also encourage parents/guardians of these students to know the importance of their roles in improving the students academic performance.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study focused on the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Hence, the study will be delimited to some selected secondary schools in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.
Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.
1.9 Definition of the Terms
Science:
This is an intellectual activity carried out by people with the goal of discovering knowledge about the natural world in which humans exist and discovering methods in which this information may be arranged into meaningful patterns.
Chemistry:
This is the scientific study of interaction of chemical substances that constitute atoms or the subatomic particles; protons, electrons and neutrons
Strategies:
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decision to contrast with a view of strategy as planning. Man McKeanon(2011) in his own definition argues that strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get desirable ends with available means.
1.10 Organization of the Studies
The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:
5.1 Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
5.2 Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to examine the factors affecting the performance of chemistry students in senior secondary school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study was specifically carried out to find out the school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, find out the ways teachers contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, find out the students factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry, and find out the strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 210 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are chemistry teachers and students some selected secondary schools in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
5.3 Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;
- The school factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry includes: school location, lack of qualified teachers, class size, and lack of school laboratory facilities.
- The ways teachers contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry includes: poor class management skills, ineffective teaching strategy, poor communication, and ineffective teacher-student relationship.
- The students factors which contributes to students’ poor performance in Chemistry includes: poor attitude towards the subject, lack of interest and motivation, lack of concentration, truancy and poor reading habit
- The strategies required for improving students academic performance in Chemistry includes: the use of audio-visual interactivity packages, provision of visual materials in the library, enhancement of students motivation, adoption of reinforcement practices, effective teacher-student communication.
5.4 Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.
- To enhance effective instructional delivery and academic performance in chemistry, eclectic method of teaching which involves the combination of two or more instructional strategies should be adopted in lesson delivery by teachers of chemistry to enhance effectiveness in teaching and learning.
- Traditional methods of teaching chemistry as a science subject should be replaced with a more motivating and rewarding vocational teaching methods by chemistry teachers.
- Chemistry curriculum should be redesigned and restructured to include teaching methods that promote students’ academic performance by curriculum designers.
- Demonstration teaching method should be encouraged by chemistry teachers through participatory learning process where utilization of teaching methods act as spring board for students acquisition of cognitive affective and psychomotor skills simultaneously.

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