Students’ Perception of Chemistry Teachers’ Characteristics of Interest, Attitude and Subject Mastery in the Teaching of Chemistry in Senior Secondary Schools

Abstract

This research determined students’ perception of teachers’ characteristics of interest, attitude and subject mastery as required in the teaching of chemistry in senior secondary schools in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State. The study made use of a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised all the chemistry students in all public secondary schools in Abakaliki Education Zone. From a total population of six hundred and thirty (630) senior secondary II students, a sample of three hundred (300) students was used for the study selected by stratified random sampling technique. This was based on the four local government areas in the Education zone. A structured questionnaire in a four point Likert type format was used for data collection. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.88, which showed a high internal consistency. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test statistic was used to test the lone null hypothesis. Results of the study indicated that students perceived to a high extent; teachers’ interest, attitude towards chemistry and mastery of the subject as necessary characteristics in the teaching of chemistry. The hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance was not significant. Based on the results of the study and the educational implications of the results, recommendations were made.