Challenges And Prospects Of Teaching Agricultural Science In Imo State Tertiary Institution For Food Security

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at finding out the challenges and prospects of teaching agricultural science in Imo state tertiary institution. To achieve this goal the researcher posed five research questions. The sample consisted of 115 students selected through simple random sampling technique. Rating scale was used as an instrument for data collection, the instrument was structured using a four-point rating scale (Very High Extent, High Extent, Low Extent, Very Low Extent) to get responses from respondents. The researcher employed the mean score analysis to analyze the research questions. It discovered the extent to which the use of instructional materials affect the teaching and learning of agricultural science, the extent to which the syllabus of agricultural science contribute to the fall in students performance in the study of agricultural science, the extent to which motivation contribute to the fall in the students’ performance in the study of agricultural science, the extent to which teachers’ qualification contribute to the decline of students performance in the learning of agricultural science, the extent to which the method of teaching contribute to the decline of students performance in agricultural science. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that curriculum planners, teachers, government, students and the school board of directors should put in enough efforts to improve the extent to which the teaching of agricultural science should be carried out.

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODCUTION

In this chapter the researcher presents background to the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study and research questions.

Background to the study

The essence of education is to develop in individuals the necessary knowledge, skills and habit that would enable them function effectively in a society they exist. From the colonial concept of training for administrative manpower needs to the present stage, education is still based on integration of individuals into sound and effective citizenry. In the opinion of Ukeje (2019), education is the bed rock and foundation of any developing country, since no meaningful development can take place without adequate manpower development to pilot the affairs of such nation. In line with this ideology that growth and development of any nation is directly proportional to the nation’s achievement in the field of education, it is therefore necessary to stress that Nigeria can no longer accommodate the idea of producing individuals that are poorly equipped with the necessary skills that can readily ensure their survival in the labour market. Also the quality of education any nation imparts in her citizens to a large extent, determine the success and shortfalls in a highly competitive economy as in Nigeria.

There are many challenges militating against teaching of Agricultural science  over the years, particularly Eastern Nigeria. Many research have been conducted by researchers on those challenges and prospects of teaching agricultural science education at tertiary level. It is important to emphasize that the use of instructional teaching technique/method, the use of syllabus of the Agriculture Science and the motivation as well as teacher’s qualification and method of teaching are known factors that militates against the  teaching of Agriculture Science.

It has to do with principals ensuring teachers’ quality teaching in school through ensuring that school environment is friendly and attractive (Ofoegbu, 2014). The teacher is the one who translates educational philosophy and objectives into practical knowledge and skills base and transfer those to the students. The extent motivational practices are made available by principals may negatively or positively influence the teachers’ attitude towards their duties in school. In the context of this study, motivation is defined as the extent to which principals use good motivating practices (good communication pattern, regular meeting with teachers, praise and reword of excellent performance of teachers as well as ensuring teachers’ welfare) to help the teachers to be effective and efficient in discharging their duties.

Instructional materials are important in teaching and learning process which should be effectively utilized, but its availability are grossly underutilized in tertiary schools in Nigeria. Instructional materials can be defined as a change in disposition, a relatively permanent change in behavior over time and this is brought about by experience, learning can occur as a result of newly acquired skills, knowledge, perceptions, facts, principles, new information at hand. (Adeyangu, 2017). Learning can be reinforced with instructional materials of different variety because they stimulate, motivate as well as arrest learners’ attention for a while during the instructional process. Examples of instructional materials include visual aids, audiovisual aids, real objects and many others like specimen or chart and chalkboard for demonstration, equipment, excursion or field trips and demonstrations, the necessity of instructional materials in the teaching-learning process for the attainment of the goals of instruction is not disputable. As the world population continues to increase, the class sizes are often a major factor that influences the performance of students. Class size is often mentioned by experts in the educational literature as affecting student‘s feelings and performance, quality of school budgets, and administration as well (Owoeye and Yara, 2018).

Teachers’ educational qualification should serve as a yard stick in appointing them in any of the Tertiary schools. Educational qualification is simply the level of education attained by an individual in an academic institution. Examples of educational qualification include: NCE, B.ED, M.ED, and PhD among others. Area of specialization is vital in the appointment of an Agricultural teacher.  Area of specialization is the act of specializing, or pursuing a particular line of study or work; a particular area of knowledge or the process of becoming an expert in a particular area (Simon, 2019). It is the act or process of focusing upon one particular area of activity or field of research.  Teachers who specialize in Agricultural science tend to perform better than their counterparts in other areas of specialization when they are given the job of teaching the Agricultural science as a subject in Higher institutions. Omotola (2019) suggested that teachers should be appointed to teach in the area of their specializations in order to bring out the best in them.

For Siamwalla and Valdes (2004), food security is the ability of the countries, regions or households to meet target levels of food consumption on a yearly basis. In a similarly vein, the Committee on World Food Security posited that food security connotes physical and economic access to adequate food for all household members, without undue risk of losing the access. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) also defined food security as a state of affairs where all people at all times have access to safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and productive life. This implies: availability, accessibility, and proper utilization. Food security means ensuring that sufficient food is available; maintaining sufficient supplies through domestic production at relatively stable levels; allowing access to food for those in need of it; and ensuring biological utilization of food. This implies adequate storage against spoilage, disease and ensures nutrient balance. In addition, the World Bank (2017) looked at food security as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security is thus people-oriented and it implies a situation in which all households have both physical and economic access to adequate food for all members and households are not at risk of losing such.

This study sets out to access those challenges and prospects In teaching and learning of Agricultural science. It is hoped that the findings of the study will help to solve the problems of mass failure and help to improve students’ performance.

 Statement of the Problem

The widespread problem of students failing Agricultural Science in tertiary institution is really alarming. This increase the number of school dropouts and causes an obstacle to many from furthering their studies. The failure in Agriculture has also been linked with failure in other subjects, because he or she does not understand. This problem is so alarming that attracts special attention.

Disappointingly, agricultural Education which has brought innovation in Nigeria Educational System is rather receiving little or no attention in curriculum content development. In most educational institutions, agricultural education programmes are poorly handled either due to dearth of qualified staff or absence of facilities. Thus the foundation for the application of agricultural programs for skill development in the citizens has remained poorly laid, incidentally, the technology take-off of the nation has remained delayed.

The issue in contention now is to what extent agricultural education has been assisting in bringing changes in Nigerian education system to make individuals independent and a complete being wherever they find themselves.

Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is to examine the challenges and prospects of teaching agricultural science in Imo state tertiary institutions. The content scope will focus on; instructional technique/method, syllabus of the Agricultural science motivation, teacher’s qualification and method of teaching.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to examine the challenges and prospects of teaching agricultural science in Imo state tertiary institutions for food security The specific objectives includes: To;

1. ascertain how the use of instructional technique/method affect teaching and learning of Agricultural science
2. determine syllabus of agricultural science that contribute to the fall in the students’ performance in the study of Agricultural science

• determine how motivation contributes to the fall in the students’ performance in the study of Agricultural science?

1. examine if teacher’s qualification and method of teaching contributes to the decline of student’s performance in the agricultural science
2. examine the method of teaching that contributes to the decline of student’s performance in the Agricultural Science

Significance of the study

The findings and recommendations of this study if properly implemented would be of paramount benefit to administrators of schools, students, teachers, curriculum planners, parents, government and the society at large.

The administrators of schools thus, will be aware of the student the salient sources of inclusive education as it supports in the administration of teachers to effectively teach agricultural science throughout teaching and learning process.

Students therefore will be aware of the necessary requirements needed for the study of agricultural science and their expectations from the institution, also developing the right attitude to learning.

Teachers will be able to see the important or necessary requirements needed to effectively carry out a standard teaching of agricultural science, and also provide the institution with the required basic instruction materials. Curriculum planners should be able to see and fish out loopholes in school curriculum, making necessary amendments and introducing a competent curriculum to balance the already existing curriculum.

Parents are also pillars of the society and this study will expose them to the knowledge of teaching agricultural science thereby, brushing their children up in the knowledge as it is of paramount importance for food security and future purpose. Government through this study would be updated on the important and basic requirements needed by the tertiary institutions to carryout quality and updated teaching of agricultural science thereby, providing the resources required to meet this need.

The society, if these challenges are met and properly implemented will have a standard and full-baked professionals in the agricultural science field. This will bring development to the society and country at large.

Research Questions

The following research questions have been raised to guide the study:

1. To what extent does the use of instructional technique/method affect teaching and learning Agricultural Science?
2. To what extent does the syllabus of the Agricultural science contribute to the fall in the students’ performance in the study of Agricultural science?

• To what extent does motivation contribute to the fall in the students’ performance in the study of Agricultural science?

1. To what extent do teacher’s qualification contribute to the decline of student’s performance in the Agricultural Science?
2. To what extent do method of teaching contribute to the decline of student’s performance in the Agricultural Science?

Pages:  68

Category: Project

Format:  Word & PDF         

Chapters: 1-5                                 

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.