Assessment of the Implementation of Basic Science Programme in Junior Secondary School in Nasarawa West Zone

Abstract

This research was designed to assess the implementation of basic science programme in Junior Secondary Schools in Nasarawa West Zone of Nasarawa state. Specifically, the study intends to find out whether the curriculum content of the Basic Science Programme are taught to the students as specified, the availability, adequacy and utilization of facilities, the quality and quantity of teachers, the teaching methods employed by teachers and the performance of students in the Basic Science Programme in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (JSSCE) in the state. The assessment of the implementation of basic science programme involves the collection of data and the use of data to assess the effectiveness of the quality of new science programme. A total of eighteen Junior Secondary Schools were sampled and questionnaires were administered to both teachers and students to collect the datas. The result of the study revealed these findings. Basic science programmes in Nasarawa West Junior Secondary Schools are being implemented to a large extent, facilities available for the implementation of Basic Science Programmes are not adequate and there is a significant different between the mean perception of rural and urban teachers on the extent of the implementation of the basic science programme curriculum in Nasarawa West Zone. In conclusion, it has been proved in the course of this study that there is no significant difference in the mean achievement scores of male and female students in basic science achievement test for junior secondary School students in Nasarawa West Zone. It has also been proved that Nasarawa West Zone has enough qualified teachers that can enhance the implementation of the basic science programme in junior secondary schools. Furthermore, it has been proved that the facilities available for the implementation of basic science programme are inadequate and underutilized. It has also been proved that lecture method, discussion method, group investigation, field trip/excursion, guided discovery and cooperative method are the methods of teaching commonly adopted by teachers. Recommendations were proffered to enhance the effective implementation of basic science programmes in Nasarawa West Zone.

Keywords: Basic Science, Programme, Curriculum content, Implementation, Material Resources.