CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                                                                  1

1.1     Introduction                                                                                              1

1.2     Statement of the problem                                                                                  5

1.3     Objective of the Study                                                                             6

1.4     Research Questions                                                                                          6

1.5     Significance of the study                                                                                   7

1.6      Scope of the Study                                                                                     7

1.7      Definition of Terms                                                                                   8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                                                         9

2.1      Definition and Purpose of Practical Work and Laboratory Work            9

2.2      Learning Theory and Practical Work                                                           11

2.3      Styles of Laboratory of Practical Work                                                        13

2.4      Problems and Obstacles of Implementing Practical Work                                16

2.5      Practical Work and Meaningful Learning                                                    17

2.6      Laboratory and Biology Practical                                                                19

2.7      The Purpose of Practical Work in Science and its Place within the      Curriculum                                                                                                23

2.7.1   The Purpose of Practical Work                                                                   23

2.7.2   The place of practical work within the science curriculum                                26

2.8      The Frequency and Quality of Practical Work in School Science and             Factors Affecting Teaching and Learning                                                    28

2.8.1   The Frequency and Quality of Practical Work                                             28

2.8.2   Strategies to improve the quality of practical work                                       32

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY                                                               35

3.1      Research Design                                                                                        35

3.2      Population of the Study                                                                              35

3.3      Sample and Sampling Techniques                                                               35

3.4      Research Instruments                                                                                 36

3.5      Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument                                           36

3.6      Method of Data Analysis                                                                            36

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS                                            37

4.1      Data Analysis                                                                                            37

4.2      Summary of Findings                                                                                 40

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS   41

5.1      Discussion                                                                                                 41

References                                                                                                           47

Appendix: Questionnaire                                                                                      57

 LIST OF TABLES

Tables           Title                                                                                            Pages

4.1.1   Mean Response of difficulties in the teaching of Biology practical to 

          senior secondary school III students                                                            37

4.1.2   Teachers response of the adequacy of some laboratory equipment for 

          teaching of Biology practical to senior secondary school III students                   38

4.1.3   Concepts and principles in the Biology practical curriculum in shaping                   the students for external examination                                                      39 

            The technology of a country is largely dependent on the level of its science and technology subjects. Science subjects cannot be effectively taught without the practical aspects which encourage the development of critical thinking.  In this study, attempt has been made to investigate the limits in teaching Biology practical to senior secondary school III students. Random sampling techniques was employed to select 42 Biology teachers from twenty one secondary schools in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The researcher used a well-constructed questionnaire which sought after the difficulties in teaching of Biology practical, adequacy of laboratory equipment, concepts and principles in the Biology practical curriculum in shaping the students for external examination. The descriptive research design was used in the study. Three research questions were raised and analysed using mean score and standard deviation at .05 alpha level of significance. All the research question were answered positively. Findings showed that teachers do not have much difficulty in teaching biology. It revealed that there are adequate laboratory equipment for the teaching of Biology practical to senior secondary school III students. Also the study indicated that the concepts and principles in the Biology practical curriculum in shaping the students for external examination. Base on the results of the findings, some recommendations were made by the researcher.