Katsina-Ala Multi-disciplinary Journal

Daniel A. Wankar

Business Education Department,

College of Education Katsina-Ala, Benue state.

 
Abstract
 
The success or failure of any government regime depends on the extent to which the masses are empowered and emancipated socially and economically. The Nigerian government has flooded the country with poverty alleviation programmes over the years, aimed at breaking the shackles of poverty that have held the vast majority of Nigerians captive. In spite of these laudable efforts, available evidence indicates that poverty level in Nigeria is still on the increase. This is principally due to the absence of entrepreneurship education which should equip the targeted beneficiaries with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities to start and run their business ventures to fast-track economic development. It is therefore advocated that for any sustainable development in Nigeria to occur, substantial efforts must be put into entrepreneurship education as the bedrock of the nation’s education programme.
 

By

J.D. Agbir

Samuel I. Wachin

 Department of Chemistry,

College of Education, Katsina-Ala.

Abstract
 This study determined the feasibility of using mentoring as a training programme for beginning chemistry teachers. Three local government areas were randomly sampled from seven in Benue state Education zone A.  Twelve schools were purposively sampled from the three local government areas. Twenty-two beginning chemistry teachers and twelve veterans were used as sampled subjects. Six schools each were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The beginning chemistry teachers were observed using Chemistry Teacher’s Observation Scheduled (CTOS), as an instrument with a reliability coefficient of 0.91. Treatment of experimental group took 8 weeks after the pre-test.  Data collected were analyzed using t-test and one-way ANOVA. Three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 significant levels. The results showed that mentored beginning teachers developed high teaching competencies; that significant difference existed in teaching competencies of professionally trained teachers over their non-professional counterparts. It was recommended that mentoring should be used as a teacher support or on-the-job training programme for teachers. 

¹Godwin Gemma Apav

²Benjamin Tarvershima Ako

¹Department of Mathematics,

College of Education, Katsina-Ala

²Department of Integrated Science,

College of Education, Katsina-Ala

Abstract
This article points out the divergent views of mathematicians on the concept of mathematics. Nevertheless, the fact remains that mathematics is vital to the existence of individuals as well as the society at large. In order to enhance effective teaching, learning and application of mathematics in our daily activities, the article advocates the use of recently developed methods of teaching the subject such as laboratory method, project method, problem solving method which emphasize the development and utilization of techniques of teaching and assessment based on individualized observation of pupils in concepts understanding and application. The article therefore considers laboratory method of teaching mathematics at 0’level to enhance its application to technology. The case of basket weaving is considered. Four stages of weaving a basket which teach the application of concepts such as “right angle”, “ratio”, “pattern”, “circularity” and “shape” (a hemisphere) to the pupils at 0’level of education have been explained. The article finally emphasizes the use of laboratory method since it encourages the application of mathematics in real life and enhances conceptual understanding and reduction of abstract nature of mathematics.
 

¹ Joseph D. Agbir

¹ Samuel I. Wachin

²Godwin G. Apav

¹Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Katsina-Ala.

²Department of Mathematics, College of Education, Katsina-Ala

Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the frequency of science and technology teachers’ professional development through teacher support programmes in Benue state education zone A. A stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 210 science and technology teachers from 35 secondary schools who participated in the study.  Science and Technology Teachers Professional Development Questionnaire (STTPDQ) with a reliability of 0.89 was used for data collection.  Data obtained were analyzed using percentages.  The results of the analysed data showed that; there was a low frequency of professional development of science and technology teachers through the support programmes in class management and control; in presentation of learning experiences and methods. It was recommended that, state and federal government should embark on intensive programme of in-service training to equip all professional teachers with the skills and competencies needed to effectively participate in all aspects of curriculum development so as to be able to produce the required manpower needed to develop our economic potentials geared towards achieving vision 2020.

¹Robert Vandelun Tsebo,

²M.S. Kurumeh,  Ph.D

¹Mathematics Department

College of Education, Katsina-Ala.

²Department of Curriculum & Teaching,

Benue State University, Makurdi.

Abstract
This study assessed the differences in mathematics achievement in developmental approach. One hundred and sixty five students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups in four selected mixed secondary schools. The experimental groups were exposed to developmental learning approach, while control group were taught using conventional strategy. A quasi experimental design was adopted for the study. Data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while analysis of covariance was used to test research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there was significant difference between the mean achievement scores of male and female in favour of male. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teaching methods that are learner friendly, activity packed and practical innovative, authors of mathematics textbooks should include group activities in their exercises that practically utilized developmental approach.

Aaron Tsambelumun Alaanyi

Department of Integrated Science

College of Education, Katsina-Ala.

Email Address: [email protected]

Abstract

Levels of heavy metals in soil profiles of automobile repair shops waste dumps in Gboko were studied. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-15cm (D1), 15-30cm (D2), and 30-60cm (D3) and analysed for Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pd and Fe using UNICAM 969 atomic absorption spectrometer. Cd, and Pb were not detected in the soil samples. The concentrations of the other five metals were significantly high and represented elevated concentrations above background levels found in the control site. Average top soil metal concentrations (D1) for the study area were 13.7±2.5 mg/kg, 101.6±4.6 mg/kg, 10.3±5.3 mg/kg, 35.5±4.7mg/kg, and 6046±387.7 mg/kg for Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu and Fe respectively. The concentration of Ni was above international limits for residential and agricultural use. The general dispersion of most of the metals in the profile was D2 >D1 >D3. Average levels of accumulation of the metals within the soil profile were 6.87, 8.30, 2.13, 3.26 and 1.30 for Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, and Fe respectively. This indicates that the pollution of soil in the study area ranges from slight to very severe.  The automobile repair shops represent potential sources of heavy metal pollution to the environment.