A study on the attitudes of secondary school Maths and Science teachers towards SMASSE project

Abstract

This study focused on the attitudes of secondary schools Maths and Science teachers towards SMASSE INSET project. The sample consisted of 48 Maths and Science teachers drawn from secondary schools within Nyeri Municipality. A three part questionnaire was used for data collection. Reliability and validity tests for the questionnaire were computed using the item total correlation and cronbach's coefficient alpha respectively. The data collected was analyzed using percentages and Z scores were used to test the significant differences of the null hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that there were significant differences between the Maths and Science teacher's attitudes towards SMASSE project in respect to their chronological ages, years of service and professional qualifications except for Bed Teachers. The Maths and Science teachers support the ASEI and PDSI approaches to teaching but cite high workload, large classes and broad syllabuses as the main difficulties towards implementing them. The study recommends that deliberate effort should be made towards enhancing the Maths and Science teachers' motivation to attend SMASSE INSET. This could be achieved through promotions, salary increments and recognition of good performance through annual increments. The government could check on ways of providing basic science equipment through the SMASSE INSET so that schools that are unable to afford could acquire them.. Such equipment would couple the effectiveness of teaching methodologies advocated at the INSET. There is need for the .ministry of education to establish an elaborate Network amongst the Maths and Science teachers which will open up the process of giving and receiving modem technological information.