Kaduna State Government says it has procured 460 mobile laboratories as part of its effort to enhance science education in basic and secondary schools.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ja’afaru Sani, who disclosed this at the opening of a one-day training on the use the mobile teaching aids and intervention laboratory for science teachers, said all science teachers in the state were trained simultaneously in six centres across the state on how to use the mobile facilities for the effective teaching of science subjects.
Represented by Joshua Ayuba, Sabon Tasha zonal director, Sani explained that the 460 teaching materials, invented by the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, would be distributed to 361 secondary schools across the state, adding that the measure was to enhance the learning outcomes of students in the area of science and technology, which he described as presently not too encouraging.
“This administration has realised that the expected learning outcomes are not being achieved, particularly in science and technology due to non-availability of adequate instructional materials. Lack of utilisation of appropriate teaching method is another factor affecting learning outcomes in our schools.
“It was to address this that the government decided to procure the unique mobile teaching aids which could serve as a laboratory to promote science and technology,” he said.
He added that the state government had in 2017 procured and distributed mobile laboratories to some select secondary schools and supplied consumables and tools to five technical colleges in the state.
“We equally procured science equipment for laboratories and distributed more than 15,000 tablet computers to students and teachers in 2018 to promote science and technology education. I assure you that with these steps and more, we will soon address all challenges regarding laboratories and workshops in our public schools,” Sani said.
Sadiq Lawal, of the Mechanical Engineering Department, FUT, Minna, said the equipment, which could be used in the absence of a laboratory, provides multifunctional interface for variety of experiments for all science subjects.
Earlier in his remark, the Vice Chancellor, FUT Minna, Professor Abdullahi Bala, represented by the Director, Research, Innovations and Development, Professor Moses Olutoye, said the materials were invented to improve the learning outcomes of students in science subjects.
