Problems Facing Students In Learning Chemistry Subject In Selected Community Secondary Schools In Kiteto Distict In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems facing students in learning chemistry subject in community secondary schools in Kiteto District, in Tanzania. In this study mixed research approach was employed in exploring and analyzing the data. The study was guided by two theories namely, Constructivism Theory of Learning and Hierarchy of needs Theory. The study involved 79 respondents (64 students, 6 chemistry teachers, 4 academic teachers, 4 head of schools and 1 District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO) who was selected using mixed procedures. Data were collected through questionnaire, interview, documentary review, observation and analyzed by applying SPSS version 23. Findings from the study revealed that, trend of students enrolment in chemistry subject in selected community secondary schools was not stable due to the presences of various problems problems facing students in learning chemistry subject include: shortage of qualified chemistry teachers, insufficient teaching and learning materials and students‟ negative attitudes toward learning chemistry subject. The study concluded that employing qualified chemistry teachers, providing sufficient teaching and learning materials and using different teaching methods in teaching most difficult chemistry topics can be the strategies to be used to address the problems facing students‟ in learning chemistry subject. Moreover, the study recommends the government to revise the policy allowing students to drop chemistry subject at upper secondary schools, initiate special programs to increase enrolment of students in chemistry professional development and pay better salaries and teaching allowances to chemistry teachers.