The Perceptions of Science Tutors on the Availability and Utilisation of Laboratory Facilities on Pre-service Science Teachers' Practical Competencies in Science Science Tea Science Teachers' Practical Competencies in Science
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Abstract
The study examined science tutors’ assessment of the extent of availability and frequency of utilisation of science laboratory facilities and its perceived impact on science teacher-trainees’ practical competencies in science at the public colleges of education within the Greater Accra Metropolis of Ghana. The study adopted the quantitative approach with a descriptive survey design involving, 15 science tutors, 15 science laboratory assistants, and two college principals who were selected through a purposive sampling technique to participate. The main research instrument was the questionnaire. Reliability coefficients of 0.86 and 0.84 were established for tutors’ and science laboratory assistants’ questionnaires respectively, which indicated that the questionnaires were reliable. The primary data collected from participants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis revealed that science laboratory facilities were available to a low extent and rarely utilized for hands-on practical activities, and this has had a high impact on the science teacher trainees’ practical competencies in science within the Greater Accra Metropolis with Accra College of Education in perspective; whereas, the facilities were available to a high extent and fairly utilized for hands-on practical activities, and this has had a very high impact on science teacher trainees’ practical competencies in science within the Greater Accra Metropolis, as far as the Ada public college of education was concerned. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education of Ghana, the international community, and other stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) provide adequate science laboratory facilities to promote the study of science and the production of practically competent science teachers from the public colleges of education who can effectively teach science in Ghanaian schools and elsewhere across the globe.
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