PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT NEEDS OF TEACHERS FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING OF BASIC SCIENCE IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EBONYI STATE

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine performance improvement needs of teacher for effective teaching of basic science in junior secondary schools in Ebonyi state. Five research questions were developed and answered in line with the purpose of the study. A structured questionnaire was developed from the related literature reviewed for the study. The questionnaire was face-validated by three experts, and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha and test -retest techniques which yielded a coefficient of 0.81. Copies of the questionnaire were administered on 442 respondents with the help of three search assistants. There was a hundred percent return rate after 3 weeks. The data was analysed using weighted mean and improvement needed index (INI) to answer the research questions. The findings of the study were as follows: (i) 11 out of 15 competency items were needed in instruction and instructional facilities (ii) 6 out of 8 competency items were needed in “you and your environment”, (iii) 4 out of 5 items were needed in “living and non living things” component of basic science (iv) 3 out of 5 competency items were needed by the teachers in science and development” component while  5 out of 7 competency items were needed in “you and energy” component to enable the teachers perform effectively in teaching the subject. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others, that the Ebonyi State government should package the findings into workshop, training, manual for training and retraining teachers of basic science to achieve effective performance in teaching the students.