Abstract

This study paper assessed the availability and utilization of instructional materials for effective teaching of fish production to students in senior secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. Four specific objectives and four research questions were developed to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in Benue State. The population of the study was 284 teachers of Agricultural science. The sample for the study was 142 teachers of Agricultural science obtained through stratified random sampling technique. A Fish Production Instructional Material Questionnaire (FPIMQ) was used for data collection. Six field work assistants helped in administering and retrieving the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency table, percentage, and mean scores. The results of this study revealed that out of all the instructional materials recommended for teaching fish production to students, 8 of them are available, 5 are accessible, and 8 are often utilized by teachers in senior secondary schools. The study also revealed that 12 challenges were encountered by teachers in accessing and utilizing available instructional materials in fish production in senior secondary schools in Benue State. It was recommended that teachers of Agricultural science should improvise some of the instructional materials lacking in the school locally, among others.

Key words: Availability, utilization, instructional materials, fish production.