Institute of Education
07069793211 | ioe@unilorin.edu.ng
Abstract
This study analysed the perception of physics teachers towards the determinants and implications of students’ under-performance in physics public examinations with a view to proffering evidence-based solutions. The study employed a quantitative descriptive survey research type. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Ilorin Metropolis from Kwara State. Simple random sampling technique by means of lottery method was used to select a sample size of 20 physics teachers in public secondary schools within Ilorin metropolis, one limitation being the security challenge at the satellite towns and suburbs. Instruments for data collection included validated structured questionnaire entitled ‘Questionnaire on Physics Teachers’ Perception of Determinants and Implications of Secondary School Students Under-performance in Physics Public Examinations. Coefficient of reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha as 0.75. Descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages and mean were used to answer the two research questions that guided the study. The study revealed that teachers have relatively high perception of the determinants, implications and possible remedies for students’ under-performance in Physics public examinations with mean scores ranging from 2.70 to 3.45. The study recommends continuous professional development for in-service physics teachers and result-oriented and specialized preparation programme for pre-service physics teachers. Others include the urgent need to provide and maintain well-equipped physics laboratories in schools offering physics, students to be motivated for good performance in physics public examinations through scholarships and teachers to use innovative instructional delivery strategies such as project-based learning, cooperative learning, flipped classroom, virtual and augmented reality, blended learning and gamification.
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