A Study on the Status of Science Laboratories inSecondary Schools of Vadodara City

Abstract

I hear, I forget, I see, I remember, I do, I understand’ Science learning is best explained in this Chinese proverb. Learning by doing is the best way to understand the cause-and-effect relationship of science. Science learning can be ensured by providing practical exposure and first-hand experiences to the learners. Laboratory plays a vital role in the science curriculum and in school to consolidate the theoretical knowledge of science. Enhancing student–teachers’ process skills, experimental skills, science laboratories is mandatory. Stressing the importance of practical work in science, national focus group on teaching of science (2006) mentioned that ‘Experimentation, often involving quantitative measurement as a tool to discover/verify theoretical principles, should be an important part of the curriculum at this secondary stage. Experiments should be part of the content of the secondary-stage textbook to avoid their marginalisation or neglect. At higher secondary stage, for those opting science stream, laboratory is the second home. The fact is that majority of the students enter the laboratory when they come to eleventh grade as there was no practical work in secondary grades. So the status of secondary schools is also pitiable. Considering the importance of the science laboratory in science teaching and in developing practical understanding, its status is worth studying. Thus, in this research paper, attempt is made to provide the status of science laboratory in the secondary schools of Vadodara city and further about its use by the teachers and students. It further discusses about the problems faced by the teachers in using and managing the laboratory, and suggestions were sought to improve the laboratory work secondary stage.