ASSESSMENT OF CHEMISTRY TEACHERS’ SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ONDO CITY

Abstract

The academic performance in Chemistry among senior secondary school students in Ondo City has been a subject of concern, with potential links to the scientific attitudes of Chemistry teachers yet to be comprehensively explored. Hence, this study examines the Chemistry teachers’ scientific attitudes in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. It also considers the significant effect of this scientific attitude on students’ performance in Chemistry. The sample used in the survey study consists of 30 Chemistry teachers and 200 senior secondary school year two students randomly picked from twenty schools in the study area. Two instruments were used for the study. These are the Scientific Attitudes Scale (r=0.82) and Chemistry Achievement Test for the Students (r=0.80) with Cronbach alpha and test-retest method respectively. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage mean scores, Standard Deviation, Pearson Correlation, and Multiple Regressions to test the hypothesis. The results indicate that Chemistry teachers’ scientific attitudes (r=.114; P<.05) have a significant relationship with students’ achievement in Chemistry. There is a need for teachers teaching Chemistry to imbibe a high level of scientific attitudes to enhance the effective teaching and learning of Chemistry in the classroom and turn promote students’ performance in Chemistry and achieve the overall aim and objectives of science education.