AN APPRAISAL OF INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL FOR TEACHING PHYSICS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO CITY

This study provides an in-depth appraisal of the infrastructural facilities and personnel available for teaching physics in senior secondary schools, emphasizing their role in influencing students’ academic performance and interest in physics. Physics, being a practical and theoretical discipline, demands adequate laboratory facilities, modern teaching aids, and competent teaching personnel to ensure effective learning. The research was conducted in a sample of public and private senior secondary schools using surveys, direct observations, and interviews with students, teachers, and administrators. The findings highlight several challenges in the current state of physics education. Many schools, particularly public ones, lack functional laboratories, appropriate teaching aids, and sufficient classroom space. Additionally, the shortage of qualified physics teachers exacerbates the problem, resulting in high student-to-teacher ratios and a lack of personalized attention. Comparatively, private schools fare better in terms of facilities and personnel, creating an educational divide that affects equitable access to quality education. Furthermore, the study found that these deficiencies have a direct impact on students’ understanding of physics concepts, practical skills, and overall performance in the subject. The study concludes that the inadequacies in infrastructure and personnel hinder the effective teaching and learning of physics, with public schools facing the greatest challenges. To address these issues, recommendations include increased investment in laboratory facilities, recruitment and training of qualified physics teachers, development of low-cost teaching aids, and partnerships between government and private sectors to improve resource allocation. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing these gaps to enhance the quality of physics education, foster student interest in STEM fields, and contribute to national development.