CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary (2000) defined “problems” as a thing that is difficult to deal with or to understand effectively. According to the Oxford advanced learner dictionary (2000) defined practical as an ideal, on method or a course of action, right or sensible, likely to be successful.

Practical work is very essential to the effective teaching of body in school. Every body citizen will be able to participate more effectively in any life situation, he can speak out on questions that involve both biology principles and human welfare, such knowledge will out come from were bookwork, but from practical application of the materials learnt to real life situation.

Science is the study of the natural things around us. Biology being a branch of science involved the study of living and non living things. (Sanjini, 2001). Similarly, World Book Encyclopedia (2000), defined Biology as the scientific study of living thing. Traditionally, biology is divided into two branches Viz; Botany and study of plants and Zoology the study of animals. Some of the usefulness of biology were cited by Sarojiet (2001), as follows: it helps;

(1) Scientific research and development of new tools and techniques which in variable improve the quality of our lives,

(ii) Finding applications in medicine, dentistry, vetenary, science, agriculture and horticulture,

(iii) Biotechnology which include fields like genetic engineering and hybridoma technology.

(iv) Dealing with ecological problems such as over population, food storage, erosion, pollution, and diseases etc.

Practical biology is the scientific study of the life and structure of plants and animals and their relative environment in real or experimental set-up rather than dwelling in the theory and ideals (Opuh, Eze and Ezeagu (2008). On its preamble to the international senior secondary school certificate Examination syllabus, West African Examination council WAEC (1998: 2003), buttresses the used for biology practical in teaching and learning of biology in the secondary schools. The syllabus was designed to asses candidates in;

(i) Understanding of the structure and function of living organism as well as appreciation of nature.

(ii) Acquisition of adequate laboratory and fields skills in order to carry out and evaluate experiments and projects in biology.

(iii) Acquisition of scientific sill example observing, classifying and interpreting biology data etc, to its previous edition WAEC Syllabus (2001), stated that great importance should be attended to experimental work and we control experiments, it was recommended that, whenever possible throughout the whole course candidates should be award of practical application of what is being studied.

From the foregoing, we can understand that biology practical lesson is most essential for effective teaching and leaning of biology in secondary schools. Whereas, Akinpelu in Aguokogbuo (2002), defined teaching as a deliberate effort by a matured or experienced person to impact information, knowledge, skills and so on to immature or less experienced person. Consequently, national teachers institution NTI (2000) course book on education, defined learning as the acquisition of new knowledge, ideas, skills, values and experience which enable the individual to modify or alter his action. It also involves the utilization of newly acquired knowledge or experience as well. It further stated that leaning brings about permanents change to the learners.

The nation policy or education (2004), defined secondary education, as the education children received after primary educational level and before the tertiary state. According to post primary school management Board PPSMB statistical rewards PRs (200), there are six secondary schools in Igbo Etiti local government Area.

Igbo Etiti Local Government Area, is in Enugu (Nsukka) The area is predominantly are urban settlement with a few rural communities some of the secondary schools in Igbo etiti local government includes, community High School Ekwegbe, Community secondary school Ukop Ekwegbe, Community secondary school, Umuna, Community secondary school Umunko and special science secondary school Ukehe.