AN INVESTIGATION INTO SS2 STUDENTS DIFFICULTY IN LEARNING ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BIOLOGY IN IKWO LGA OF EBONYI STATE.

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to investigate into SS2 students difficulty in learning ecological aspects of biology in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi state. Specifically, the study was aimed at examining whether lack of adequate instructional materials makes the learning of ecological aspects of Biology difficult, examine whether lack of qualified teachers makes the learning of ecological aspects of Biology difficult, examine whether lack of science laboratory makes the learning of ecological aspects of Biology difficult, and examine whether method of teaching  makes the learning of ecological aspects of Biology difficult. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 141 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between lack of adequate instructional materials and difficulty in learning of ecological aspects of Biology, there is a positive relationship between lack of qualified teachers and difficulty in learning of ecological aspects of Biology, there is a positive relationship between lack of science laboratory and difficulty in learning of ecological aspects of Biology, and there is a positive relationship between method of teaching and difficulty in learning of ecological aspects of Biology. The study recommend therefore, there is a need to make the subject content of senior secondary school biology curriculum more contemporary, meaningful and interesting for the students, reflecting the current developments in the field and relating teaching-learning process with daily life issues. However, biology instruction should be supported by qualified textbooks, instructional materials, hands-on, mind-on sessions and observations as well as experiments that actively engage students in learning processes. This calls for the there is need to teach biology dynamically, not as a static subject in textbooks, emphasizing inquiry instruction that would allow students to pursue areas of personal interest.