Published Article

ABSTRACT

This study examined the availability and regular maintenance of laboratory equipment, as a panacea for students performance in biology in Akwa Ibom State. Correlational survey design was adopted for this study in Akwa Ibom State. The targeted population for the study comprised all SS2 students offering Biology. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 60 SS2 students from each of the three senatorial districts of the state which gave a total of 180 respondents used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Laboratory Equipment Regular Maintenance and Availability Questionnaire (LERMAQ)”.Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation in order to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness for the study under consideration. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.87, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical technique such as percentage analysis to answer the research question. The result of the data analysis showed that “Improvement in Practical Skills” was the most prominent influence of availability of laboratory equipment on student performance in biology. The result also revealed that “Improved Practical Learning Experience” was the most effective influence of regular maintenance of laboratory equipment on student academic performance in biology. The study concluded that the availability and regular maintenance of laboratory equipment are fundamental to enhancing students' performance in biology, particularly in Akwa Ibom State. One of the recommendations made was that the government and educational institutions should allocate more financial resources to the procurement and regular maintenance of laboratory equipment in secondary schools.

KEYWORDS: Laboratory Equipment, Students, Biology and Akwa Ibom State