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Investigation for Availability of Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Facilities for Public Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania

Received: 7 October 2023     Accepted: 28 October 2023     Published: 18 January 2024
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Abstract

A science laboratory technician has an essential role to play in the current and future science education. This study investigated availability of qualified laboratory technicians and laboratory facilities in 10 public secondary schools at Ubungo municipal. The study used quantitative and qualitative descriptive survey design where quantitative data from a sample of 10 head of schools, 30 science teachers, 2 laboratory technicians and 150 students from ten schools were drawn using random sampling technique. The data was collected by using structured questionnaire, and conducted focusing group discussion. Analysis were done by using Microsoft Excel had revealed that over 80% of ten schools had no qualified laboratory technicians only 20% had qualified laboratory technicians. Also, the study found that 70% among ten schools were found to have sufficient laboratory facilities with the necessary basic laboratory equipment but 30% were identified to have insufficient laboratory facilities. However, the study found that students’ accessibility to practical sessions in their school is very limited to the schools with no qualified laboratory technicians but to the schools with qualified laboratory technicians had more privilege of attending more regularly into practical sessions. According to the head of schools and science teachers commented that absence of qualified laboratory technicians affects implementation of science subjects and practical learning to students, hence hinder performance in science subjects. Appropriate conclusion and recommendation are suggested based on the findings and experience from the schools.

Published in International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15
Page(s) 44-62
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Laboratory Facilities, Laboratory Technicians, Dar Es Salaam Region, Tanzania, Survey 2023

References
[1] Abimbade A. (1999). Principles and Practice of Educational Technology, Ibadan: International publishers limited.
[2] Bajah, S. T. (1984). Continuous Assessment and Practical Work in Science Teaching: A plea for pragmatism. Journal of STAN, 20(2): 43-48.
[3] Cleapss, (2009) Technicians and their jobs, G228 retrieved at www.cleapss.org.uk on 18th March, 2015, at 16: 34.
[4] Edet, B. U. & Inyang, G. J. (2008). Effect of Environmental Resources on Students Achievement in Biology: 49th STAN Annual Conference Proceedings. Emba publishing Company ltd.
[5] Gangoli, S. D. 1995: A study of the effectiveness of the guided open-ended Approach To physics Experiments. International Journal of Science Education, 17(2): 233-241.
[6] Gleadall, G. & Griffiths, J. (2007). Science Technical Staff in Schools: Staffing and Conditions of Laboratory technicians. Association of Victoria ABN 96 439 156 002 Retrieved at www.Itav.org.au on 14th March, 2015 at 15: 42.
[7] Jatau, A. A. & Jatau, S. Y. (2008). Identification of Level of Utilization of Instructional Resources among Science Teachers in Pankshin: STAN 49th Annual Conference Proceedings.
[8] Lunetta, V. N.; Hofstein, A. & Clough, M. P. (2007). Teaching and learning in the School science laboratory: An Analysis of Research, Theory, and Practice. In Handbook of Research on Science Education (ed. S K Abell and N. G. Lederman), pp. 393–431. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
[9] Nihuka k. A Challenges hindering effective implementation of sciences, mathematics And ICT in secondary School in Tanzania. Discovery 2023; 59: e23d1022.
[10] Shaibu, A. M. & Mari J. S. (2008). Enriching Laboratory Activities in School: Implication for the Chemistry Teachers: 41st STAN Annual Conference Proceedings, 146-148.
[11] Tsui, K. T. (1998). Understanding teacher performance towards a comprehensive Frame work: Asia Pacific Journal of Teacher Education and Development, 1(2): 81-89.
[12] Ughamadu, K. A. (1992). Curriculum Concept, Development and Implementation.
[13] Chonjo, P. N., O-saki, K. M. & Mrutu, M. (1996). Improving science education in Secondary schools: A situational analysis of selected government secondary Schools in Tanzania mainland. Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Wekwe, W., Mina, R., Masaulwa, J., Mafie, A., Mnahuva, K., et al. (2024). Investigation for Availability of Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Facilities for Public Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 12(1), 44-62. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15

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    ACS Style

    Wekwe, W.; Mina, R.; Masaulwa, J.; Mafie, A.; Mnahuva, K., et al. Investigation for Availability of Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Facilities for Public Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2024, 12(1), 44-62. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15

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    AMA Style

    Wekwe W, Mina R, Masaulwa J, Mafie A, Mnahuva K, et al. Investigation for Availability of Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Facilities for Public Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2024;12(1):44-62. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15,
      author = {Wema Wekwe and Rose Mina and Juliana Masaulwa and Awiria Mafie and Kaiza Mnahuva and Isihaka Saidi and Elia Makanja},
      title = {Investigation for Availability of Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Facilities for Public Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania},
      journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
      volume = {12},
      number = {1},
      pages = {44-62},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20241201.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20241201.15},
      abstract = {A science laboratory technician has an essential role to play in the current and future science education. This study investigated availability of qualified laboratory technicians and laboratory facilities in 10 public secondary schools at Ubungo municipal. The study used quantitative and qualitative descriptive survey design where quantitative data from a sample of 10 head of schools, 30 science teachers, 2 laboratory technicians and 150 students from ten schools were drawn using random sampling technique. The data was collected by using structured questionnaire, and conducted focusing group discussion. Analysis were done by using Microsoft Excel had revealed that over 80% of ten schools had no qualified laboratory technicians only 20% had qualified laboratory technicians. Also, the study found that 70% among ten schools were found to have sufficient laboratory facilities with the necessary basic laboratory equipment but 30% were identified to have insufficient laboratory facilities. However, the study found that students’ accessibility to practical sessions in their school is very limited to the schools with no qualified laboratory technicians but to the schools with qualified laboratory technicians had more privilege of attending more regularly into practical sessions. According to the head of schools and science teachers commented that absence of qualified laboratory technicians affects implementation of science subjects and practical learning to students, hence hinder performance in science subjects. Appropriate conclusion and recommendation are suggested based on the findings and experience from the schools.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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Author Information
  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Education, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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