OBSTACLES IN CHEMISTRY LABORATORY IMPLEMENTATION: A STUDY OF TWO SCHOOLS IN KAMBATA ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The effective implementation of chemistry practical work faces numerous challenges globally, particularly in developing nations. Common obstacles include insufficient laboratory facilities, insufficient funding for practical science instruction, equipment, and supplies, as well as a shortage of qualified teachers. This study investigated the factors obstacle laboratory implementation in chemistry instruction at Angacha and Funamura Secondary Schools in Kabata Zone, Central Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 213 individuals participated in the study, comprising 192 students, 14 teachers, 2 laboratory technicians, and 5 school principals from public secondary schools within the zone. Employing a descriptive survey research design and a quantitative approach, data collected from the target population were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that the availability of laboratory technicians, along with the attitudes of students, laboratory technicians, and teachers, significantly influenced the use of chemistry experiments in teaching and learning. Furthermore, while laboratories existed in the schools, they were underutilized due to a lack of adequate apparatus.