Strategies for Effective Implementation of Agricultural Science Trade Curriculum of Senior Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State

Abstract

The study examined effective strategies for the implementation of agricultural science trades in the curriculum of senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The study was guided by three objectives, three research questions, and three hypotheses. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study with a population size of 233 agricultural science teachers. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select a sample size of 196 male and female agricultural science teachers as respondents. The instruments for data collection were structured and titled “Strategies for Effective Implementation of Agricultural Science Trades Curriculum of Senior Secondary School Questionnaire” designed on a four-point rating scale. The instrument was subjected to face-content validation by three experts in the department of agricultural education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. Reliability of the instrument was ascertained by administering 30 copies of the instrument to 15 agricultural science teachers in Government Girls Secondary School and 15 in Federal Government College both in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. The instruments were retrieved and analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, and a reliability coefficient index of 0.94 was obtained. 196 structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents and were all retrieved and used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested with the independent t-test statistical tool. Results of the study showed that both male and female agricultural science teachers agreed that competences, commitment, instructional methods, instructional materials and utilization of school farms were effective strategies for the implementation of agricultural science trades in the curriculum of senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State. Recommendations were made, among others, that in order to improve the effectiveness of agricultural science teachers, government should provide infrastructure, laboratories, school farm and farming tools/equipment in secondary schools in Bayelsa State.

Keywords: Strategies, Implementation, Agricultural Science Trade, Curriculum