Status Of Safety Practices In Senior Secondary School Chemistry Laboratories In Abia State

Background of the Study

Chemistry is a science based systematic study of the composition, properties and re- activities of matter at atomic and molecular levels. Chemistry is the study of nature and properties of all forms of matter and the various changes they undergo. Chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the study of nature of matter and probes into the principles governing the changes in matter (Ababio, 2010). Chemistry is a subject whose practical, intellectual and aesthetic value is becoming more highly priced daily in every industrial sector that contributes to national development. Study has shown that most developing countries of the world shows about 80 percent dependency upon chemistry and its products to achieve and maintain an expected level of development (Okorie, 2010). Chemistry has been identified as a very important school subject and its importance in scientific  and technological development of any nation has been widely reported. It was as a result of the recognition given to chemistry in the development of the individual and the nation that it is made a core subject among the natural sciences and other science related courses in the Nigerian education system.

Chemistry and indeed chemists are linked to everything on earth as aptly captured in a slogan: what is not chemistry? Chemistry plays a pivotal role at engineering sustainable economic development and growth in any nation. Put succinctly, there is no aspect of human endeavour on natural phenomena that chemistry does not feature. It features prominently in the areas of oil and gas, agriculture, health, environment, solid minerals, textile, cosmetics, water supply and sanitation, crime detection1, pulp and paper, waste management (Zuru, 2009). Chemistry is the catalyst of sustainable national growth and development and it is offered at the senior secondary classes in order to help student learn important aspects of scientific concepts that would enable them live effectively in their immediate environment (Jimoh, 2001). Chemistry as a science subject has instrinsic and utility values (Oraifo, 1993). For instance chemistry permeates other sciences and gives them values. To adequately study most of the sciences (basic and applied) requires a good knowledge of chemistry (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, 2007). Material substances studied in chemistry are made to interact during practical or experimental work to bring out their properties. Without practical activities, the study of chemistry is meaningless. The practical works are done in the school chemistry laboratory.

Laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments and measurement are performed. Laboratory could be a room in a building or a place where experimental studies are carried out. In the laboratory, students are engaged in a human enterprise of examining and explaining natural phenomena in a practical way (Dienye and Gbamanja, 1990). According to Ali (2001) laboratory helps students to discover what they do not know yet and confirm the truth of the knowledge acquired in the classrooms (Okoli, 2006). Laboratories used for scientific experiments and researches take two forms such as indoor laboratory- one with furnished buildings or rooms with different equipment of scientists in various fields of science and engineering and outdoor laboratory such as ponds, forests, botanical gardens and others (Dienye and Gbamanja, 1990). A physics laboratory might contain a particle accelerator or Vacuum chamber, while metallurgy laboratory could have apparatus for casting or refining metals or for testing their strength. A chemist or biologist laboratories might use solid or powdered substances, aqueous reagents, aquarium or ponds and others (Ali, 2001). In the laboratory students have the opportunity to carry out experiments and other investigative activities.

The school chemistry laboratory is an instructional facility used by the teacher to help the students learn about chemistry and how the chemists investigate the world around them i.e. it is that school building set aside for scientific discovery and inquiry (Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2001). In the Chemistry laboratory, students are brought in direct contact with materials, manipulating them through procedures that reflect scientific thinking idea conventional, contemporary school chemistry laboratory must possess the following features: a fairly large room with demonstration or preparatory room and the stores. Long tables containing sinks, 4-way type of gas points, 2 tailed reagent shelves, water supply taps and drawers, gas chamber, fume-cupboard, refrigerator and air conditioners, raised platform, safety devices. The school chemistry laboratory is where the laboratory users (students, teachers, laboratory technicians) perform laboratory experiments.

Laboratory experiments (activities) are characteristic features of science teaching at all levels of education (Adane and Adams, 2011). They serve as indispensable tool in teaching and learning of chemistry (Garnett, Garnett and Hacking, 1995; Hofskin and Lunetta 2004; Hoftein and Mamlok-Naaman 2007; Fisher, Harroson, Hindreson and Holston, 1998). Nowadays, it is rare to find any science course without a substantial component of laboratory activity in teaching institutions. During such laboratory experiments students are provided with specimens or work guide (manual) and some sort of equipment which help them to investigate scientific problems in order to understand theories and principles of science subjects (Ikeobi, 2004). Students have a lot to benefit from practical, which may include increasing students’ interest and abilities in science subjects as well as their achievement in science (Emoyi, 2006 and Pavesic 2008). Demonstrations by instructors can also be used as an option to support theories and lectures given in classrooms in institutions without adequate facilities to let students do the experiments by themselves (Agbo and Mankilik 1999 and Mckee 2007).