Problem Solving Skills in Basic Science among Junior Secondary School Students in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the level of Problem Solving Skills among junior secondary school basic science students in Kafanchan, Kaduna state. Three research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample of 75 made up of 42 male and 33 female students were used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was 20 items rating scale. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while null hypotheses were tested using t-test statistic. The findings of the study revealed that the level of Junior Secondary Students’ problem solving skills in Basic Science was that male students show high level of problem solving skills than female students. Likewise, the junior secondary school student from urban location demonstrated high level of problem solving skills in basic science than the students from rural location. The study further revealed that, there is significant difference between rural and urban Junior Secondary students mean level of problem solving skills in Basic science among others. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that Basic Science teachers should present the problem solving skills in clear terms starting from simple to complex in order for the students to acquire them. They should also direct more attention to female students to make them improve on the problem solving skills to enhance performance in Basic science. Schools in rural areas should be adequately equipped with teachers and should adopt methods that will assist students getting the appropriate skills and that basic science concepts should be skill oriented so that students will do science instead of learning about science, among others.