Student’s Perspective: Factors Affecting the Learning of Science Process Skills (SPS)

The current study aimed to examine the factors affecting the learning of science process skills of 8th grade students in public and private schools of Muzaffarabad. The nature of the study was quantitative. The participants in the study were all private and public schools. A basic random sample strategy was used to select 20 schools (10 private and 10 public). There were 140 students in the sample, 70 of whom were male and the remaining 70 were female. 35 of the 70 male students were drawn from five public schools, with seven students from each, and 35 were drawn from private schools, with seven students from each. Self- structured questionnaire was developed was developed with the help of supervisor and further validated by two different science specialists. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: the first concerned teaching methodologies, the second with academic values, and the third with the facilities and surroundings of the school. These have been developed in order to identify the elements that have the greatest impact on students' acquisition of science process skills. Results of the study revealed that teachers use audio visual aids and other lesson-related supporting materials in the class while teaching science, teachers make the learning easy and teachers have also helpful behavior in the classroom. The study also revealed that human beings are getting benefits from the science in daily routine life and science education is very necessary to progress. The study also showed that schools have proper sanitation system but the schools do not have the classes that can be transformed as laboratory while teaching, schools do not have the proper libraries for scientific research. The study recommended that private agencies and govt should take steps to provide sufficient funds for science equipment’s in the classrooms.