Perceived Difficulties in Teaching Selected Topics in Agricultural Science in Senior Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study examined perceived difficulties faced by teachers in selected topics in Agricultural Science in senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The specific objectives of the study were to examine perceived difficulties teachers face in teaching apiculture and agricultural engineering and mechanisation as a topic in the senior secondary schools syllabus in Bayelsa state. A descriptive survey (cross-sectional) design was used. The population comprised all 242 Agricultural Science teachers in secondary schools in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The sample of the study was 100 Agricultural Science teachers selected from senior secondary schools in three (3) local government areas, one local government from each of the three (3) senatorial zones in Bayelsa State. The instrument titled “Perceived Difficulties in Teaching Selected Topics in Agricultural Science’ with 14 items was utilised for data collection. The instrument underwent experts content validation showed internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) index of .79. The data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentage scores, mean, standard deviation and Chi-square for the bio-data, research questions and hypotheses respectively. The result revealed that significant difficulties exist when teaching apiculture and agricultural engineering and mechanisation as perceived by Agricultural Science teachers. It was therefore recommended amongst others that government should make funding available for the acquisition of relevant agricultural materials and tools, especially in apiculture farming to enhance the teaching of apiculture in secondary schools in Bayelsa State.