The purpose of this study was to investigate the
difficulties of teaching integrated science at the Junior High School level in
the Kassena-Nankana Municipality. Based on the positivist paradigm, a survey
design was adopted. The study sampled eleven (11) integrated science teachers
on purpose. The main challenges of teaching integrated science were discovered
to be a lack of laboratories (M = 1.0, SD = 0.00), a lack of laboratory
apparatus and equipment (M = 1.85, SD = 0.95), a lack of chemicals for simple
experiments (M = 1.22, SD = 0.36), insufficient teaching and learning materials
(M = 2.55, SD = 1.09), and insufficient curriculum materials (M = 1.86, SD =
0.64). There were no issues with teacher qualification (M = 3.73, SD = 1.56),
teacher adequacy (M = 3.27, SD = 1.19), students’ attitudes toward integrated
science (M = 3.64, SD = 0.78), or teaching strategy (M = 3.23, SD = 0.28). This
means that competent teachers are available in schools to teach integrated
science. The study suggested that well-equipped laboratories be established, as
well as investments in instructional and educational resources.
Cite this paper
Dorsah, P. , Awini, G. , Okyer, M. , Alhassan, A. , Shahadu, I. and Kpemuonye, A. K. N. (2024). Challenges in Teaching Integrated Science in Junior
High Schools. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e1101. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1111101.
Winarno, N., Rusdiana, D., Riandi, R., Susilowati, E., Mega, R. and Afifah, A. (2020) Implementation of Integrated Science Curriculum: A Critical Review of the Literature. Journal for the Education of Gifted, 8, 795-817. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.675722
Sun, D., Wang, Z.H., Xie, W.T. and Boon, C.C. (2014) Status of Integrated Science Instruction in Junior Secondary Schools of China: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of Science Education, 36, 808-838. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2013.829254
Adu-Gyamfi, K. (2016) Challenges Face by Science Teachers in the Teaching of Integrated Science in Ghanaian Junior High Schools. Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 6, 59-80.
Kaptan, K. and Timurlenk, O. (2012) Challenges for Science Education. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences, 51, 763-771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.08.237
Quansah, R.E., Sakyi-Hagan, N.A. and Essiam, C. (2011) Challenges Affecting the Teaching and Learning of Integrated Science in Rural Junior High Schools in Ghana. Science Education International, 30, 329-333. https://doi.org/10.33828/sei.v30.i4.10
Adu-Gyamfi, K. (2013) Lack of Interest in School Science among Non-Science Students at the Senior High School Level. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 53, 7-21. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/13.53.07
Ngman-Wara, E.I. (2015) Ghanaian Junior High School Science Teachers’ Knowledge of Contextualised Science Instruction. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 4, 174-176. https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v4n1p167
Parker, J., Osei-Himah, V. and Asare, I. (2018) Challenges Faced by Teachers in Teaching Integrated Science in Junior High Schools in Aowin Municipality-Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 9, 65-68.
Busljeta, R. (2013) Effective Use of Teaching and Learning Resources. Czech-Polish Historical and Pedagogical Journal, 5, 55-69.
https://doi.org/10.2478/cphpj-2013-0014
Osei-Himah, V. and Adu-Gyamfi, K. (2022) Teachers’ Perspective of Effective Use of Teaching and Learning Materials in Basic School Integrated Science Lessons. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 18, 257-270. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v18i1.17195
Hofstein, A. and Lunetta, V.N. (1982) The Role of the Laboratory in Science Teaching: Neglected Aspects of Research. Review of Educational Research, 52, 201-217. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543052002201
Lazarowitz, R. and Tamir, P. (1994) Research on Using Laboratory Instruction in Science. In: Gabel, D.L., Ed., Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning, Macmillan, New York, 94-130.
Tobin, K.G. (1990) Research on Science Laboratory Activities: In Pursuit of Better Questions and Answers to Improve Learning. School Science and Mathematics, 90, 403-418. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.1990.tb17229.x
Gunstone, R.F. (1991) Reconstructing Theory from Practical Experience. In: Woolnough, B.E., Ed., Practical Science, Open University Press, Milton Keynes, 67-77.
Gunstone, R.F. and Champagne, A.B. (1990) Promoting Conceptual Change in the Laboratory. In: Hegarty-Hazel, E., Ed., The Student Laboratory and the Science Curriculum, Routledge, London, 159-182.
Hofstein, A. and Mamlok-Naaman, R. (2007) The Laboratory in Science Education: The State of the Art. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 8, 105-107. https://doi.org/10.1039/B7RP90003A
Krajcik, J., Mamlok, R. and Hug, B. (2001) Modern Content and the Enterprise of Science: Science Education in the Twentieth Century. In: Corno, L., Ed., Education across a Century: The Centennial Volume, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 205-238. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810110300708
Hofstein, A., Navon, O., Kipnis, M. and Mamlok-Naaman, R. (2005) Developing Students’ Ability to Ask More and Better Questions Resulting from Inquiry-Type Chemistry Laboratories. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42, 791-806. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20072
Hofstein, A.V.I. and Lunetta, V.N. (2003) The Laboratory in Science Education: Foundations for the Twenty-First Century. Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Hoboken. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.10106
Toon, M. (2020) Survey Design for Quantitative Analysis: A Large-Scale Investigation into Stress and Burnout within the UK Dental Profession. Sage Research Methods Cases: Medicine and Health. SAGE Publications, Ltd., London. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529744224
Domin, D.S. (2007) Students’ Perceptions of When Conceptual Development Occurs during Laboratory Instruction. Educational Research, 8, 140-152. https://doi.org/10.1039/B6RP90027E
Hofstein, A. (2004) The Laboratory in Chemistry Education: Thirty Years of Experience with Developments, Implementation, and Research. Chemistry Education: Research and Practice, 5, 247-264. https://doi.org/10.1039/B4RP90027H
Opara, P.N. and Etukudo, D.U. (2014) Factor Affecting Teaching and Learning of Basic Science and Technology in Primary Schools. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Studies, 1, 46-58.
Azure, J. (2015) Senior High School Students’ Views on the Teaching of Integrated Science in Ghana. Journal of Science Education and Research (JOSER), 1, 49-61.
Kebbie, T. (2022) Integrated Science Teaching and Learning in Junior Secondary Schools in Sierra Leone: Challenges and the Way Forward. International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation, 7, 787-795.
Green, R.D. and Osah-Ogulu, D.J. (2003) Integrated Science Teachers’ Instructional Competencies: An Empirical Survey in Rivers State of Nigeria. Journal of Education for Teaching, 29, 149-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/0260747032000092657
Putri, B.K. and Widiyatmoko, A. (2013) Pengembangan LKS IPA Terpadu Berbasis Inkuiri Tema Darah Di SMP N 2 Tengaran. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 2, 102-106.
Alake, E.M. and Ogunseemi, O.E. (2013) Effects of Scaffolding Strategy on Learners’ Academic Achievement in Integrated Science at the Junior Secondary School Level. European Scientific Journal, 9, 149-155. http://www.eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/1548