Skills Needed by Secondary School Graduates for Breeding and Rearing of Giant African Land Snail (GALS) in Ebonyi State

Abstract

The Purpose of the study is to identify the skills required by secondary school Graduates for breeding and rearing Giant African Land Snail (GALS) in Ebonyi State. Three research questions guided the study. The design was descriptive survey. The total population was 254 agricultural science Teachers in junior and senior secondary schools in Ebonyi State. PRS, (2014). A random sampling techniques was used by balloting and replacement to collect sample size of one hundred and fifty four (154) Agricultural Science Teachers in the study area. Structural questionnaire was developed by the researchers for data collection. The instrument has four point rating scale of strongly required, required, not required and very Not required (SR, R, NR, VNR) .The instrument was validated by three experts one in measurement and evaluation in the department of science education and two in Technology and Vocational Education (Agric Education) unit in the same Faculty of Education in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Mean and standard deviation was used for answering research questions. Any item with mean score of 2.50 and above are regarded as required skills while mean score below 2.50 are regarded as not required skills. The study revealed that all the item statements had mean score of 2.50 and above. It implied that the identified skills were good enough for snail breeding and rearing by secondary schools Graduate. It show that skills in housing, in feeding, in routine management and disease control are the bases for breeding and rearing of Giant African Land Snail GALS. Among the recommendations made was that, improved stocks, housing material, feeding stuff and financial assistant should be given to the secondary school graduated by the government. While technical assistant from experienced rural snail farmers and agricultural science teachers should be given to secondary school graduate for snail breeding and rearing as young farmers.

Keywords: Skill, Breeding, Rearing, GALS, Graduates and School.