Harnessing the Challenges of Covid-19 Ethics on Students Learning in Chemistry

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges of covid-19 ethics on students’ learning of chemistry in secondary schools in Anambra State and how to harness the challenges. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. A descriptive survey design was used. Three hundred (300) SS3 chemistry students drawn from 45 secondary schools out of 258 public schools in Anambra State formed the sample for the study. Twenty (20) item structured questionnaires on a four-point rating scale developed by the researchers were used for data collection. A reliability coefficient of 0.85 was established using Cronbach Alpha techniques. After the administration of the instrument to the respondents, the data obtained were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research question and z-test to test the null hypothesis at the significance level of 0.05. The results obtained showed that male chemistry students have greater challenges on covid-19 ethics than their female counterparts. They are faced with the following challenges of covid-19 ethics that hinder the inculcation of chemistry learning. Lack of interest in STEM education (chemistry) due to persistence lockdown, lack of E-learning abilities, lack of ICT knowledge, lack of computer or android phone to study at home and tired of being locked indoors. There is no significance difference between male and female chemistry students’ level on covid-19 ethics in the learning of chemistry in Anambra State. It was recommended that students should be encouraged to develop interest in chemistry, have access to ICT gadgets and computers, engage in E-learning abilities and inculcate more study habit at home. This should help the government and chemistry teachers to assist in ameliorating the predicaments in STEM education.