1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Science explains the natural existence of man and his activities. Science could be seen as problem solving in order to improve the living standard of man. There are different definitions of science by different schools of thought; Owolabi (2004) defines science as an integrated part of human activities. It is seen as a dynamic human activity concerned with manipulating spherical world. It is seen as “knowledge covering general truths and laws, obtained and tested through scientific methods as concerned laws with the physical world”. Science can be seen as the bedrock of national development. A nation that is not scientifically advanced is termed a backward nation. Science is used by humans to solve daily problems and control the environment.
The usefulness of science cannot be under-rated. There are many areas of life that science has contributed such as in medicine, geophysics, hydrology, agriculture, communication, technology, education, transportation, healthcare to mention a few. Agriculture has improved greatly through the introduction of high yield improved agricultural seeds. Science has led to breakthrough in medical care. Diagnostic machine for checking different ailments and diseases are now controlled and diseases cured through science. The usefulness of science to humanity cannot be over emphasized.
Biology is defined as the study of living things which include plants and animals. It is a fascinating study that ranges from microscopic-cellular molecules to the biosphere, encompassing the earth’s surface and its living organisms (Sarigin, 2010). Biology is a core subject that is mandatory in all secondary schools in Nigeria as it is a pre-requisite to the study of many courses relevant to humanity which include the following; Medicine, Pharmacy, Biochemistry,Agriculture, Anatomy, Physiology, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Entomology Immunology, Molecular biology, Evolutionary, Genetics and population dynamic among others. Biology can be conveniently taught in a laboratory which is a place designed and equipped with materials for teaching and learning. It is obvious that most secondary schools in rural areas lack physical laboratories and where they exist, there are inadequate or lack of equipment. One of the problems militating against effort to enrich science is inadequate or absence of teaching aids or materials which include; indoor or outdoor laboratory, reagents, chemicals and unqualified teachers. Nwoji (1999) reported that some essential facilities were not available in the school visited (Baike 2000).
(Alwasilah, 2002) stated that, school location refers to the community in which the school is located, such as village hamlet or rural area 9fewer than 3000 people), a small town (3000 to about 15.000 people), a town (15,000 to about 100,000 people), close to the centre of a else where in a city with over 1000,000 people. Akilaya (2001) explained school location as specific geographical site of the school and it contains building where the school equipments are kept for educational use. He further explained that the location of any school must in most cases follow some laid down guidelines. This is so because the school should not be close to noisy environment such as the market, highway roads rails and very risky environments. He also pointed out that the most important thing in the consideration of the school location is the population that the school is going to serve and the distance the students would have to get to the school.
This research therefore takes insight into the circumstances responsible of Availability Of Biology Laboratory Resources In Relation To Schools Location In Bida Lga Of Niger State.
Statement of the Problem
Inspite of the effort made by teacher and government through provision of Biology Laboratory Resources to enhance the knowledge of students in biology students still perform poorly in the subject during examination. As perceived in the study, this problem crops up as a result of the school location, environment, facilities/equipment and infrastructure. Mecraken et al (1991) Barcinas (1989), all concluded that students performance in sbjects in high in the urban area than in the rural area and that urban student have higher educational occupational aspiration than rural students, they also point at environment as factor affecting student performance in learning Biology despite availability of Biology Laboratory Resources.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to investigate the Availability Of Biology Laboratory Resources In Relation To Schools Location In Bida LGA Of Niger State.
Specifically the study is meant to:
- Compare how the environment is related to the location of the school.
- Compare the, students performance in Urban and rural settings in Biology
- Determine the availability of biology laboratory resources and school location in relation to students academic performance