TITLE:
Influence of School Farm on Teaching of Agricultural Science in Senior Secondary Schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State
AUTHORS:
Michael Onwumere, Melody N. Modebelu, Isiwu Edward Chukwuka
KEYWORDS:
Influence, School Farm, Teaching of Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Senior Secondary Schools, and Ikwuano L.G.A.
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.3 No.6,
June
27,
2016
ABSTRACT: 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.