Attitude Of Girls Towards The Study Of Chemistry In Secondary Schools

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the study

Science is a way of looking at the world. It ties to seek answers to question like “how”? Why? And “When”? About nature and man caused events. Science, when taught, it encourages the student to ask question and to take critical looks at the situation and problems they may encounter. Kline (1991) views science as having substantive implication of teaching man about the universe. Its accessibility to man’s reason and its functioning can be described by laws. Science give factual knowledge about the physical world and man’s knowledge of himself.

Science is a discipline, a body of knowledge about the universe, the structure and reaction of matter, the conservation and transfer of energy and interaction between living things. Some also regard science as a systematized body of knowledge derived through investigation, using specific procedures often called the scientific methods. The concepts, laws, generalization and theories are all formulated using the scientific finding to interpret and explain natural phenomenon.

In studying science, one is searching for explanation to the natural objects and phenomena in terms of products. Science is attempting to find out the nature of matter, how they were formed, they react together and after reaction, what is the consequences. In attempting to find out generalization, principles, theories are made. It is agreed by (Stan) that science make students’ attention to be directed towards matters which are significant to the students as well as the society. If their creative traits are awakened or developed they can also harness or manipulate many things to their advantage and the society at large. For example, knowledge about rust and way of preventing its useful information to the society. Since is a very important to us, because we are in a scientific age, when our lives, homes, works are all fascinating and enjoyable. Science makes us to think scientifically and talk scientifically.

There are too fold important purpose in the study of chemistry. Firstly, it is a basis for scientific and technological advancement and secondly, it is the pursuit of the subject for its own worth in some ways, chemistry is unique. It is a science which depends on experiment and demand precision of thought and expression. Its development may lead to results which are of practical value. Chemistry being a science subject has contributed to many aspects of medicines, engineering, architecture, agricultural science to mention but few. Attitude applied to chemistry therefore is the general behaviour of an individual either positively or negatively toward its learning. Consequently, the burning issue at hand has been to bring to light how students behave to or feel about chemistry. In relation to this therefore, the attitude of girls towards the study of chemistry is the topic of this study.

Whether the girls show positive or negative attitude or even show indifferent attitude to the study of chemistry would be revealed. It is on this basis that the researcher has decided to work on school in Benin City. The researcher also hope that this little contribution will be of great benefit to the educational administration, curriculum planners, teachers and students in Benin City and Nigeria as a whole.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Most girls in secondary schools in Benin City tend to study chemistry not mainly because they are interested in chemistry as a subject but due to the fact that West African examination council requires any students offering agricultural science to choose chemistry as one of her subject. Since no two person are identical, people behave differently under the same situation.

1.3  OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research is to survey the attitude of secondary schools girls in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, in the study of chemistry. However, issues such as factors influencing student’s attitude as well as the comparison between the attitudes of boys to that of the question on how to find solution to some of the female problem in the field of chemistry.

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is very important especially at this time of our national development. In the first place, it is the first of its kind beings done with schools in Benin City as the main focus of attention. From the result obtained, the girls would be advised to either maintain or change their attitudes towards the study of chemistry depending on how positive or negative those attitudes are. The result would also help to encourage the training of professionally qualified chemistry teacher who would be able to motivate girls so that they can develop positive attitude toward chemistry.

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following hypotheses are made based on the basic attitude towards the study of chemistry.

H0: There is no significant relationship between the attitude of girls towards chemistry and their desired future profession.

H0: There is no significant relationship between the availability of a well-equipped laboratory and library towards the attitude of girls towards the study of chemistry.

H0: There is no significant relationship between the external influence and the attitude of girls towards the study of chemistry.

1.6   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is limited to some selected schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Since it is not possible to cover all the schools in the area, some representative sample will be selected. The researcher is restricted to students in Senior Secondary School that is SSS I, II and III as they are the people studying chemistry as a separate subject. The schools selected are those schools that have obtained school certificate status. They are:

• Idia College, Benin City
• Maria Goretti, Benin City
• Adesuwa Grammar School, Benin City
• New Era College, Benin City
• Baptist High School, Benin City
• Emotan College, Benin City
• Asoro Grammar School , Benin City

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELEVANT AND RELATED LITERATURE

2.1   Introduction

There is a considerable amount of research on the effects of attitudes toward learning on students’ behaviours. Positive attitudes toward any subject are frequently found to enhance the students’ interest in the subject and their motivation to learn……