Availability of Essential Laboratory Equipment for Biology:A Case Study of North Nazimabad Town, Karachi

Rabia Abdul Karim, Anila Fatima Shakil, Rabia Abdul Karim

Abstract


Laboratory work is regarded as an important component in school biology education. In this study, the central importance of laboratory is outlined and the basic resources to enable such laboratory work to be undertaken are outlined. For the present study, descriptive research method was used. Survey was then employed. A purposive sample of 8 secondary schools (4 boys and 4 Girls) was selected for the collection of data. A sample of fifty (50) biology teachers was randomly selected from eight (8) schools of Government secondary schools, of North Nazimabad Town, Karachi. This study looked at the provision of microscopes, test tubes, petri dishes and slides, probes, scalpels and forceps, bunsen burners, beakers and flasks. The responses revealed that there are significant shortages of usable equipment in several schools. Microscopes were not available to about one quarter of the biology teachers surveyed. Similarly, non functioning of slides, test tubes, and petri dishes was also found. Moreover, forceps, probes, and scalpels were not available to nearly half of the biology teachers surveyed.Beakers, flasks, and Bunsen burners are employed across all three sciences but only just over two thirds of the biology teachers surveyed indicated that they had adequate access to those fundamental resources.It is recommended that for effective teaching and learning of Biology subject, there must be proper provision of laboratory equipment.

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References


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