Assessing instructional strategies in agricultural science to enhance senior secondary school students’ interest in agriculture in Zaria Educational Zone

Abstract

The study assessed instructional strategies in agricultural science to enhanced senior secondary school’s students interest in agriculture, within Zaria educational zone. Four specific objectives, four research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Structure questionnaire design on 4-point rating scale with 154 teachers and 200 students as sampled respondents was used. The data was analysed using mean, standard deviation and t – test at 5% level of significance. The result revealed that most of the teachers were male (72.08%), with age ranged from 35 – 39 years (35.07%), married (64.29%) and were qualified to teach agricultural science at senior secondary school level (76.63%) with more than five years working experience (81.85%). Use of successful agropreneurs as resource person, use of motivation and less punishment, giving award/rewards to students, taking students for field trips, relating teaching with real life situation outside classroom, exposing students’ on careers opportunities in agriculture, organizing agricultural shows and exhibition among others were acceptable instructional based strategies that could enhance students’ interest in agriculture. However, there was significant difference on the mean responses of teachers and students on the instructional-based strategies that could enhanced students interest in agriculture. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.