Influence of School Farm on Teaching of Agricultural Science in Senior Secondary Schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State

摘要

This work examined the influence of school farm on the teaching of Agricultural Science in senior secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design with random sampling techniques. The twelve public senior secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State were purposively selected and used for the study. There was no sampling carried out for the study because of the small population rather all the 12 agricultural science teachers drawn from the 12 schools were used (one agricultural science teacher from each of the twelve schools selected). Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Instruments for data collection were a 10-item structured questionnaire built on a 4-point response format. The validity of the instrument was determined by three experts: one in agricultural education, one in educational administration and one in measurement and evaluation. Cronbach alpha was used to determine the internal consistency reliability index value of the items to be 0.86. Mean, pool mean and standard deviation were used in answering the two research questions. t-test statistic tool was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.005. The findings of the study reveal that school farm has a positive influence on the teaching of agricultural science in senior secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that government and even the school management should always ensure the establishment of a functional school farm in schools and both the agricultural science teachers and the students on their own should always ensure proper management and utilization of the school farm.