STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF PRACTICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IFELODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE.
ABSTRACT
The study investigate students perception of practical agricultural science in senior secondary in Ilorin west LGA, Kwara State The population for this study is made up of all Agricultural science students. The instrument used for this study was research design questionnaire and responses were elicited for the research, random sampling method was used to sample students offering agricultural science from each of the four schools involved in the study . Four research question and hypotheses were used to guide in the study. simple percentage was used in answering the research question and chi-square analysis was used to test the null hypotheses at a significant difference of 0.05.The result of the study reveal that student have a positive perception, positive attitude and interest toward practical agricultural science, furthermore it also showed that there is no significant difference between male and female student in their interest, attitude and perception of agricultural science practical. Finally it was revealed that students perception of practical agricultural science influence their choice of agricultural science as a career The study recommended among others that agricultural science teachers should continue to sustain students interest in practical agricultural science through motivations and various pedagogical methods, and female students should be given equal opportunity in agricultural sector like their male counter parts since there is no difference in the way students viewed Agricultural science. The study further recommend that student interest in agricultural science practical should be sustained through the provision of agricultural science facilities and learning resources.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Problem 1
Statements of Problem 5
Purpose of the Study 6
Research Questions 7
Research Hypotheses 7
Scope of the Study 8
Clarification of Major Terms and Variables 9
Significance of the Study 10
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of Agricultural Education 12
Objectives and Contents of Agricultural Science Curriculum
Empirical Studies on Student Attitude Towards Practical Agricultural Science 17 Constrains To Teaching and Learning of Practical Agricultural Science in
Secondary Schools 31
Strategies for Improving Teaching and Learning of Practical Agricultural Science 35
Appraisal of Reviewed Literature 37
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Research Design 40
Population of the Study 40
Sampling and Sampling Techniques 41
Research Instrument 41
Validation of Instruments 41
Procedure for Data Collection 42
Data Analysis Techniques 43
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT 44
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussion 58
Conclusion 60
Recommendations 61
References 62
Appendix 63
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Responses of students on their perception of practical agricultural
Science 40
Table 2: Responses on attitudinal differences between male and female senior
secondary school students toward practical agricultural science 42
Table 3: Student choice of career in agricultural science based on their perception. 44
Table 4: Student response on their interest in practical agricultural science. 45
Table 5: Comparison of male and female perception on practical
Agricultural science 47
Table 6: Analysis on attitudinal differences between male and female students toward
practical agricultural science. 47
Table 7: Analysis on the influence of gender perception toward practical agriculture on their choice of agricultural science as a career 48
Table 8: Student interest in practical agricultural science 49
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Globally, education today is widely known as the most effective investment a country can make. According to World Bank (2007) , education is one of the critical pathway to promote social and economic development.
It Education may be define as a process of training individuals in any society to acquire appropriate knowledge and skills and to develop the minds intellectually in order to live useful life and contribute to the progress of society through acquire skill and knowledge. Education may be form as in the case of established schooling systems. Education is said to be non-formal when training of the offspring is though the traditional method of acquiring knowledge and skill.
It can bring about a better life, better world and raises economic development, it can improve the wellbeing of family and ensure better prospect of education for children (Galchukia, 1999). Secondary schools are the intermediary institutions between primary schools and tertiary institutions. In the present 9-3-4 system of education in Nigeria, the last three years of nine year basic education is for upper basic (Junior Secondary) while the three years is for Senior secondary (FRN,2013). Its curriculum contains subjects that are capable of preparing its students to live a useful life within the society and also prepare them for higher education, one of the subjects that can help in attaining these objectives is Agricultural science. Agriculture is being defined by different experts based on the field of specialization or understanding. Agriculture therefore, refers to the human activity of cultivating crops and plantations for production of food and goods such as fibers, befouls, animal feed and livestock’s. In a broader sense, agriculture also includes breeding and raising livestock, poultry and dairying (Neok, 2011).
The need for agricultural science education in the Nigeria secondary schools system cannot be over emphasized due to the enormous impact of the agricultural sector on the nation’s economy. Agriculture plays a critical role in job creation & poverty alleviation by successive government in Nigeria through different programmes .The Nigerian agriculture had suffered neglect for decades due to the discovery of oil. However, the sector still contributes significantly to the nation’s gross domestic product. As highlighted by Adegboye (2004), agriculture contributes more than 30 percent of the country’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs about 70 percent of the labour force, accounts for over 90 percent of the nation’s non-oil exports and provides over 80 percent of the country’s food resources. Most African economies are dominated by agriculture, which contributes about 17% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 40% of exports, employment creation and has the potential to reduce poverty. The agricultural sector has been described as the engine for economic growth and improved livelihoods in Africa (World Bank 2006; Diao et al., 2007).
Practical aspect of Agricultural science is so vital to national growth and productivity. According to the National Policy on Education (2004), Agriculture is one of the subjects offered in Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, as a pre-vocational elective and vocational elective respectively (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2013). The teaching and learning of agricultural science in Nigeria secondary schools is far from satisfactory due to student perception and approach used in teaching the subject as pointed out by Sekamu (2009) , that agriculture is taught theoretically and has failed to make an impression on the society. Practical Agriculture is the practical work that facilitates the process of Acquisition of basic knowledge and practical skill that prepare students for occupation in Agriculture.
Perception is derived from the Latin words perception or presidio meaning the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the environment (Wikipedia, 2014). Perception refers to individuals view of level of understanding of subject matter or things, an individual perception of things will determine the type of attitude that will be put on. According to Mukherjee (1998), the term attitude refers to one’s feelings, thought and predisposition to behave in some popular manner towards some aspect of one’s environment. Attitude is the liking or disliking of an object based on what is known about it (Rameela, 2004). Attitude have a strong influences on people perception of the things around them and help to determine their likes and dislikes. Falaye and Ayoola (2006) pointed out that student attitude toward practical agricultural science is largely determined by their erroneous perception and misconception of the profession as the major livelihood option for the resource poor farmers who have no other meaningful sustenance to earn a living. This myopic view has rather dampened the student moral and attitude without realizing that scientific and technological innovation has transformed farming into a lucrative system business.
Gender difference in students also dictates their perception and altitude towards leaninig of science subjects including agriculture science and other vocational subject.
Female student tend to show a delikje for sciences subject like agricural science that usually invoolbve strenuous practicalkk ythat require physical exertion which is usually associated with fatigure and something physical injure [ Adesoji, 1999 and Ezewu ,1981], Attitude of past Administration in Nigeria towards Agricultural is very bad Alkthough the present Muhamadu Buari Administration is putting on a positive effort towards agriculture in order to curb the problems of unemployment, food shortage and to use the sector to diversify the economy of the country and also make many Nigerians to be self – reliant [ federal Government of Nigeria,[ FGN] 2016].which is one of the aim of vocational agriculture.
Gender refers to the social meanings associated with being a male or a female, including the construction of identities, expectations, behaviors and power relationships that derive from social interactions (Ambe-Uva, Iwuchukwu & Jibrin 2008) ). Orji (2002) asserted that in Africa, especially in a traditional Nigerian setting female and male sex roles are seen as mutually exclusive. For instance, some professions like carpentry, engineering, woodwork, metalwork and automobile engineering technologies are still regarded in some quarters as no-go-area for women while nursing and catering profession are seen as exclusive areas for women.
Statements of the Problem
The role of Agriculture in a nation cannot be underestimated, This ranges from availability of crops and animals in market to food security among other. Agricultural science is a practical oriented subject, however, the approach to teaching of agricultural science in most secondary school is theoretical and this has failed to make an impression on the society (Sekamu,2009). FRN (2009) pointed out that Nigeria schools should teach practical skills, knowledge and value which will help school leavers to solve real life problems. Learners learn better when they hear, see and touch which is the principle of learning by doing, this principle is best achieved by engaging oneself in practical activities (Osinem,2008), However with modernization in Agriculture ,there is a need to look into the perception and interest of secondary school students in practical agricultural science in order correct their wrong perception to the aspect of agricultural science if they have negative perception of the aspect ,since student perception of things will determine their involvement in what they do and how well they will perform in such things .This study however, tries to investigate the perception of senior secondary school student towards practical agricultural science.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of secondary school student towards practical agriculture in senior secondary school in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State
The specific purposes of the study are to;
(i) Identify how students perceive practical agricultural science.
(ii) The influence of their perception on students’ interest in practical Agriculture science.
(iii)To determine whether students, perception of practical agricultural science influenced their choice of agricultural science as a career.
(iv) Find out whether gender differences have any significant effect on the perception of secondary school student toward practical agriculture.
Research Questions
Based on the purpose on the study. The following research questions were formulated
What are the students” perceptions about practical agricultural science ?
1. What is the influence of student perception on their interest in practical agricultural science ?
2. Does student perception of practical agricultural science influence their choice of agricultural science as a career?
3. Does gender difference have any significant effect on student perception towards practical agricultural science.?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses (H0) were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance
H01 There is no significant difference between the perception of male and female students toward practical agriculture.
H02 There is no significant influence of student perception of practical agricultural science on their choice of agricultural science as a career.
H03 There is no significant influence of students perception on their interest in practical agricultural science.
Scope of the Study
This study is limited to all secondary schools offering Agricultural science in Ifelodun LGA .All senior secondary schools student offering agricultural science comprise the entire scope of the study.
Significance of the Study
The outcome of the study would be of utmost benefit to curriculum planners, school administrators, agricultural science teachers, government, parents and students.
To curriculum planner and developers, it would enable them to possess necessary knowledge and disposition to develop scientific curricular that would encourage practical Agricultural science.
To the school administrators it would provide information which would make them realize the importance of practical agriculture and would enable them to handle the aspect with care and provide necessary things in term of human and material resource that would make it teaching and learning effective,
To the teachers it would make them to be aware of perception of students towards practical agricultural science which will enable them to use different strategies to motivate student interest in agricultural science.
To the students it will make them to be aware that their perception and interest of things will greatly determine how well they will perform and engage in such activities
To the parents, it will help in educating those with wrong perception and misconception that subject like agricultural science is meant for male alone, thereby allowing their female children to engage in practical agricultural science
To the government, it will help them to know the level of interest of students in practical agricultural science which will make them to pump more resources in term of human and materials resources into the aspect in order to use the sector to diversify the economy of the nation, thereby reducing over dependence of the country on oil sector .
Clarification of Terms and Major Variables
The following terms and variables are clarified operationally as used in this study
Perception: Is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information .or conscious understanding of something.
Attitude: is the disposition or state of mind about something.
Co-education: this refers to school for both male and female.
Interest: a great attention and concern given to something
Gender: is a social cultural phenomenon of division of people into male and female
School Curriculum: this is an education programs prepared for formal education programs in the school. It comprises all the subject and extra-curriculum activities of the school.
Practical Agriculture: this the pragmatic work that facilitates the process of acquisition of basic knowledge and practical skills that prepare students for occupation in agriculture
Vocational Education: Is a training or retraining, which is given in schools or classes under public supervision and control
.