Evaluating the Impact of Chemistry Practicals on Students’ Performance in Chemistry in Public Secondary Schools of Nasarawa State Nigeria

The study investigated the impact of chemistry practicals on students’ performance in chemistry of public secondary schools of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Akwanga, Nasarawa-Eggon and Wamba LGA in Nasarawa North Senatorial zone. This study utilized a quantitative approach, with a quasi-experimental design. The design was in form of pre and post-test. Questionnaire was used to collect data. The main population for the study comprised all the public secondary schools offering chemistry in the zone from which 15 sample schools was selected using a combination of stratified, purposive and systematic sampling procedures. It involved 30 chemistry teachers `and 300 SS2 chemistry students comprising 200 boys and 100 girls. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used and independent samples t-tests. The study established that the use of chemistry practicals in teaching and learning of chemistry at secondary schools greatly improved performance. The findings shows that there was a significant difference in performance between students who studied chemistry through practicals and those who studied chemistry without practicals. The study recommends intensive in-service training for chemistry teachers in practical work management and latest research to improve their practices.