Abstract:
The study investigated the provision and management of Biology Laboratory Resources (BLR) in Colleges of Education (COE) in South Eastern Nigeria (SEN). Five research questions guided the study. It sought to find out biology laboratory resources available in COE, the extent of adequacy in the provision of BLR in COE and the extent of utilization of BLR by teachers and students. It also tried to find out factors militating against effective provision, utilization and management of BLR as well as strategies for enhancing the provision and management of BLR in COE. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study and a sample of 359 final years NCE biology students, 41 lecturers and 6 laboratory assistants/technologists totaling 406 respondents were used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire tagged Questionnaire on Provision and Management of Biology Resources (QPMBR). The questionnaire has 200 items. Descriptive statistics including percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while ranking was used to ascertain the relative position of the items in their order of priority/effect. It was revealed from the study that, 88% of BLR are available in biology laboratories such as interactive white boards, prepared slides, chemicals, textbooks, beakers, flasks of different types, microscopes, first aid box, hand lens, maps, models, computers, dissecting kits, fire extinguishers, thermometers, insect nets, bell jars, incubator, water baths, freezers and lecturers as well as students. The study also revealed that biology laboratory resources are not adequately provided for in COE. Additionally, due to inadequacy in the quantity and quality of BLR provided to COE, students and lecturers find it difficult to utilize BLR effectively. Different factors ranging from inadequate fund; over enrollment of students into COE; inadequacy in quantity and quality of human and material resources; lack of storage facilities; lack of supervision; lack of proper documentation and logistics together with ignorance on the proper usage of resources due to lack of training were found to militate against provision, utilization and management of BLR in COE. Based on the above problems, it was recommended that biology departments should be adequately funded; staff, students and laboratory technologists/assistants should be adequately trained on proper management and improvisation of BLR; appropriate storage of material resources; provision of accurate records/logistics; replacement/repair of damaged/faulty laboratory materials; appropriate planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of all biology laboratory utilizers among others were suggested as strategies for improving provision and management of BLR in COE.
