UNAVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SOME SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KIRFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT This study examines the unavailability and utilization of instructional materials in some selectedprimary schools in Kirfi Local Government Area, Bauchi State. Instructional materials playacrucial role in enhancing teaching and improving students' learning outcomes. However, manyprimary schools in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas like Kirfi, face significant challengesinaccessing and ef ectively utilizing these resources. The study adopted a descriptive surveyresearch designed to assess the availability and usage of instructional materials in some selectedprimary schools in Kirfi LGA. Data was collected through questionnaires, observation checklists, and interviews involving 30 teachers and 10 head teachers. The findings revealed that, most schools lacked adequate instructional materials, with textbooks being the most available whileaudio-visual aids, charts, and real objects are also lacking. Teachers underutilized availablematerials due to insuf icient quantities, poor quality, and lack of training on their usage. Keychallenges included poor government funding, inadequate storage facilities, and large classsizes. The study concludes that, unavailability and low utilization of instructional materialsnegatively impact teaching and learning in some selected primary schools in Kirfi LGA. Toaddress these issues, the study recommends: that there schedule the Increased in government funding for instructional materials, regular teacher training on material utilizationandCommunity and NGO involvement in resource provision. This research contributes totheongoing discourse on improving primary education in rural Nigeria and serves as a referencefor policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in Bauchi State