A study of the quality of facilities that exist for the teaching of O–level chemistry in some selected secondary schools in Mbiri Constituency of Murang’a District

Abstract

The primary task of this study was to investigate perceptions of the quality of the available facilities for the teaching of O – Level chemistry in some selected secondary schools by Chemistry teachers in Mbiri constituency of Murang’a district. The study was limited by among others: Firstly, it was carried out only in one area, Mbiri constituency. This will therefore not allow generalization the district, let alone to all secondary schools in Kenya. Secondly, the amount of money and time for this project, limited this project since it was too little to allow the researcher use a large sample. The project was therefore limited to 10 secondary schools randomly selected in the constituency. The 16 chemistry teachers from the selected schools served as the subjects for this project. The major tool used in this study was a questionnaire which was personally administered by the researcher to the 16 chemistry teachers. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Percentages were used to determine the chemistry teachers’ perceptions of the quality of the available chemistry facilities. After analyzing the data it was apparent that: (i) O – level chemistry teaching facilities are inadequate in these schools. (ii) The shortage of these facilities is quickly becoming more acute owing partly to the increase of school enrolment and partly due to the increasing percentage of pupils taking up chemistry. (iii) It was found out that even though these facilities were limited, the few that there are, are normally not used optimally. (iv) Other major revelations from the study are constraints associated with the teaching of O – Level chemistry. On the basis of the findings the researcher recommends the following among many others. (i) The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should step in and help to reduce the disparity of facilities between the government aided and harambee schools. (ii) There should be regular seminars for all chemistry teachers at district level. (iii) There is a real need to construct new science blocks in the near future at the established and upcoming schools.