Abstract
Agriculture involves both the practical and scientific processes of crop cultivation and the rearing of domesticated animals for economic gain. This research focused on examining the extent to which instructional materials are available and utilized in the teaching and learning of Agricultural Science in secondary schools located within the Rano Education Zone of Kano State. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and was guided by four formulated research questions. The target population comprised 93 Agricultural Science teachers from secondary schools offering the subject in the designated education zone. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher, organized into five sections labelled A through E. Section A collected demographic information about the respondents, while Sections B to E contained items aligned with the research questions. To ensure the instrument's validity, it was reviewed by three subject matter experts. For reliability testing, a pilot study was conducted in six schools outside the main study area but with similar characteristics. Using Cronbach's Alpha, a reliability coefficient of 0.87 was established. Upon validation, the questionnaire was administered to the respondents, and the data collected were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation. Findings indicated that instructional materials for Agricultural Science were generally available and in use, although notable exceptions included laboratory facilities, tractor implements, television sets, and overhead projectors. The study recommended that both Non-Governmental Organizations and the Kano State Government should intensify efforts to provide adequate instructional resources to enhance the teaching and learning of Agricultural Science in secondary schools.
Keywords: Agricultural Science, Instructional Materials, Teaching, Learning
Publication Date: 2025-07-15