Students’ attitude towards Chemistry in ordinary level secondary schools in Kampala Central division, Kampala district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was; to identify the students’ positive and negative attitudes towards chemistry in ordinary level secondary schools in Kampala central Division- Kampala District and to investigate the factors that contribute to students’ attitude towards chemistry. The study was guided by two specific objectives; - to identify the positive and negative attitudes towards chemistry among ordinary level secondary school students in Kampala central Division, and - to find out the factors that contribute to students’ positive and negative attitudes towards chemistry. The study used a descriptive survey type of research design, with both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study was conducted in 5 different senior secondary schools in Kampala Central Division, Kampala District. The schools were randomly sampled, after a pilot study which aimed at testing the validity and reliability of the instrument. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire guide. Data collected was analyzed using Frequencies, Percentages and Descriptive Analysis. Chi Square tests were carried out to test the relationship between gender/sex, age and class of the respondents. On class, the major aim was test for the progressive attitude as learners progressed from one class to another. From the study, the following conclusions were arrived at by the researchers; the students’ attitude towards chemistry was found out to be positive. However, the attitude was generally low. The most influential factors that contributed to students’ positive and negative attitudes towards chemistry, were; the teacher, the laboratory, the experimental factor, the parent, and the textbooks for revision. There was a positive significant relationship between gender, age and class and their p-value was <0.05 based on Chi Square results. The males had more positive attitude towards the subject compared to the females. There was a progressive decline in the change of attitude towards chemistry from one class to the next among these students. The key contributors to students’ attitudes are; the teacher, stakeholders (administrators control the rest of the factors in school) and the parents.