Abstract :
Laboratory work is regarded as an important component in school
biology education. In this study, the central importance of laboratory is
outlined and the basic resources to enable such laboratory work to be
undertaken are outlined. For the present study, descriptive research
method was used. Survey was then employed. A purposive sample of 8
secondary schools (4 boys and 4 Girls) was selected for the collection of
data. A sample of fifty (50) biology teachers was randomly selected from
eight (8) schools of Government secondary schools, of North Nazimabad
Town, Karachi. This study looked at the provision of microscopes, test
tubes, petri dishes and slides, probes, scalpels and forceps, bunsen
burners, beakers and flasks. The responses revealed that there are
significant shortages of usable equipment in several schools.
Microscopes were not available to about one quarter of the biology
teachers surveyed. Similarly, non functioning of slides, test tubes, and
petri dishes was also found. Moreover, forceps, probes, and scalpels were
not available to nearly half of the biology teachers surveyed. Beakers,
flasks, and Bunsen burners are employed across all three sciences but
only just over two thirds of the biology teachers surveyed indicated that
they had adequate access to those fundamental resources. It is
recommended that for effective teaching and learning of Biology subject,
there must be proper provision of laboratory equipment.
Keyword :
school biology education, laboratory equipment, availability