Quality Science Education at Secondary School Level in Delta State: Are the Libraries and Science Books Available for Use?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the state of science books in libraries in Public Schools in Delta State of Nigeria and to particularly determine the positioning of the libraries for the effective implementation of the senior secondary science curriculum – in the areas of kinds of books available, their quantity, quality and relevance. The design employed for the study was survey. To guide this study, five research questions were raised and answered. 90 Public secondary schools randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of Delta State were used for the study. Data were collected with questionnaire, interview and personal evaluation of the libraries in the selected schools. The major findings of the study are as follows: (1) The various groups which provide books to public schools in the state include; State government, Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), School heads, Old Boys’/Girls’ Associations, Individuals, other local Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). (2) Most of the schools with libraries are those already established before the government takeover of schools in Nigeria. (3) The existing libraries grossly lack basic facilities like tables, chairs, shelves, books and Librarians. (4) In schools where libraries exist, only 14.3% of the students claimed that they used the libraries often, while as high as 54% of the students do not go to the libraries. (5) None of the schools created adequate opportunities for students to use the libraries. (6) For the schools that have libraries, they received their last stock of new science books about 26 years ago. (7) Most of the science books found in the libraries are outdated and no longer relevant for the teaching and learning of the current science curriculum. It is concluded that successive governments in the state have not been serious with the development of libraries which will nourish quality science education in the state.