Abstract
This study was carried out to determine approaches for enhancing teaching and learning of Agricultural Science in junior secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Three research questions guided the study. The population for this study was 60 Agricultural science teachers from 28 public junior secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. The entire population was studied due to its manageable size. Therefore, there was no sampling. A 31-item questionnaire was used to obtain data from the respondents. The Cronbach alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the items, and an overall reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. Three lecturers from the Department of Agricultural Education, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, validated the questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents through personal contact, which was retrieved after completion by the respondents. The data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that textbooks, laboratory equipment, real-life examples, charts and posters were some of the instructional materials needed for enhancing teaching and learning of Agricultural Science. The findings also showed that hands-on practical work, lecture method, group discussion, field trips and note method were some of the delivery methods needed for enhancing teaching and learning of Agricultural Science. The findings also revealed that observation, written examinations, class presentations and continuous assessment tests were some of the evaluation methods needed for enhancing teaching and learning of Agricultural Science. Based on the findings, the study recommended that education stakeholders should provide adequate and relevant instructional materials identified through this study to support pedagogy and also Government through the Federal Ministry of Education should train teachers on utilizing learner-centered, participatory delivery methods regularly especially practical and field-based approaches which would enhance teaching and learning of Agricultural Science in our secondary schools.
Keywords: Agricultural Science, junior secondary schools, teaching and learning
Publication Date: 2025-07-15