UTILITY OF SCIENCE LABORATORIES: AN ANALYSIS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

This study was designed to analyze students' perceptions about the facility of science labs in public sector schools at the secondary level. The study was conducted in two schools in the district of Okara and two schools in the district of Kasur. The study examined the students' perceptions about the availability of science lab, availability of science lab equipment, use of equipment, lack of practical work, condition of science lab, infrastructure of science labs, the role of science teachers and how practical work influences on students' achievements in science subjects. Various research studies highlight that students' performance in science subjects could be better in public sector schools due to insufficient science lab work. To complete the study, a survey research design was used; a quantitative research approach was used to collect data using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The study sample was two urban (one male and one female) and two rural (one male and one female) schools from one district, and the same sampling procedure was applied in the second district. From these two districts, eight schools and 100 students were selected. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, and one sample t-test and an independent t-test were applied. The findings of this study revealed that in sampled schools, the teachers needed to give more importance to the lab work because labs needed more equipment. In sampled schools, the condition of the science lab could have been better with more lab space. Moreover, there is no science lab in one of the sampled schools. It was also found that there needed to be more science teachers. The teacher performed experiments, and students observed the teacher's actions. It was recommended that the government provide equipment in the schools according to the number of students so that all the students may perform experiments. The government should build science lab in those schools where science lab is absent. Moreover, the government should train teachers so that teachers understand the use of new technology.