THE EXTENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF BIOLOGY EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONITSHA EDUCATION ZONE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the extent of availability and utilization of biology equipment/materials in secondary schools in Onitsha education zone: Implication for economic crisis in Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated and answered. The population of the study consisted of all the 48 biology teachers and 49040 Senior Secondary Two (SS 11) biology students totaling 29088 subjects in the thirty-two (32) secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone. The sample consisted of 20 biology teachers and 500 SS 11 biology students 520 subjects in 10 randomly selected schools. Data was collected using summated rating scale, and was analyzed using percentages and mean. The result of the study showed that biology equipment/materials were on the average rarely available in the secondary schools and the available ones were not utilized. The implication of rare availability and low utilization of biology equipment/materials were discussed. It was concluded that for Nigeria to overcome the present economic crisis, biology equipment and materials must be made available and also be utilized maximally to make our biologists selfreliant and thereby rise above poverty and backwardness.