Availability and utilization of science laboratory apparatus and its impact on academic performance of senior secondary school students

Abstract

This study examined the availability and utilisation of science laboratory apparatus and their impact on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Ilorin, Kwara State. It aimed to assess the extent of apparatus availability, evaluate its influence on students’ performance, and analyse how teachers’ effective utilisation affects learning outcomes. A descriptive survey design of ex-post facto type was adopted. Quantitative data were gathered from 200 respondents randomly selected from ten purposively sampled public and private secondary schools. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, Pearson Correlation, independent t-tests, and ANOVA, with a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the availability and effective utilisation of laboratory apparatus and students’ academic performance in science subjects. Consistent use of laboratories increased students’ interest in science, while inconsistent or inadequate use threatened learning quality, potentially resulting in poorly trained science graduates. The study concluded that to improve science education outcomes, stakeholders especially government bodies should prioritize funding for laboratory facilities and promote their effective use in all secondary schools.