Comparative Review of Mathematics Textbooks used in Junior Secondary Schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

This study carried out a comparative review of the Mathematics Textbooks used in Junior Secondary Schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Four research questions and three hypothesis were raised to guide the study. The population of the study consist of the mathematics textbooks used in JSS3 in government approved secondary schools in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. The sample size of this study consist of 3 Mathematics Textbooks used across 22 Government approved schools selected via stratified sampling in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The researcher-made checklist titled Mathematics Textbooks Review Checklist (MTRC) was used as the main instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by two experts in Mathematics Education, two experts in Test and Measurement and two Mathematics teachers. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, means and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Analysis of variance was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance The result revealed that MAN Mathematics, New General Mathematics and New Concept Mathematics are the major Mathematics textbooks used in Junior Secondary Schools in Makurdi LGA of Benue State, Nigeria. The Mathematics textbooks align with the mathematics curriculum, and measured up in terms of content and appearance. It was recommended that the textbooks’ authors and publishers should be trained to follow a given standard. The government should set up the standard and the pattern that every textbook authors and publishers should follow. Workbooks and teachers’ guide should also be written to accompany all recommended Mathematics textbook

Availability and Utilization of library Facilities and Information Resources in University of Agriculture Makurdi Demonstration Secondary School

This study was designed to examine the availability and utilization of library facilities and information resources in University of Agriculture Makurdi Demonstration Secondary School. Four objectives were achieved and four research questions answered. Population for this study was 136 subjects comprising of Senior Secondary School 1 and 2 students and was used as sample for the study. Instrument for data collection was the researcher’s constructed questionnaire. Data was collected and analysed using mean and standard deviation. Findings of this study revealed that library facilities and information resources are available in University of Agriculture Makurdi Demonstration Secondary School. It was found that the extent students utilize library facilities and information resources are very low. The study also found that there are problems associated with the utilization of library facilities and information resources. The study concludes by enumerating strategies that could be adopted to improve the use of library facilities and information resources by students in University of Agriculture Makurdi Demonstration Secondary School. It was recommended that he University should make provision for adequate funds for acquisition of information resources in Demonstration Secondary school library. University management should ensure that relevant materials to current curricula and teacher/student interests are supplied and the school administration should encourage the study to improve on the utilization of library information resources

The Role of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture among Secondary School Students in Benue State

This study examined the role of school libraries in promoting reading culture among Secondary School Students in Benue State. Four objectives were achieved. The study population was 136 subjects comprising of Senior Secondary School 1 and 2 students and same was used as sample size. The instrument for the study is a structured questionnaire titled ‘Role of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture among Secondary School Students Questionnaire (RSLORCSSSQ)’. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, precisely mean. Research question 1 was on the purpose of library use by students. Findings revealed that the students read in the library to “catch funs”, for personal intellectual development, to while-away time, for personal intellectual development and to hide from school works. Findings revealed that students read once a week in the library. Findings also revealed that students spend less than an hour reading in the library. It was found that students prefer poetry, newspapers and magazines, novels and story books and comics. The study also found that the hours for opening the libraries is not convenient for students, most of the school library materials are outdated and are not relevant for students, the school always closes libraries and the school lacks library periods. The study concluded that non-integration of the library in the school curriculum, and “catch funs” were the major causes of poor reading culture. It was recommended that school administrators should encourage students to read to pass examinations, have vast knowledge about the world and development of their personal intellectual capacity, students should learn how to spend enough time of at least 2-3 hours reading in the library as it will enable them cover wide in their books and integration of school library activities into the school curricula should be suitable for students to enable them make good use of school library

The Role of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture among Secondary School Students in Benue State

This study examined the role of school libraries in promoting reading culture among Secondary School Students in Benue State. Four objectives were achieved. The study population was 136 subjects comprising of Senior Secondary School 1 and 2 students was used as sample size. The instrument for the study is a structured questionnaire titled ‘Role of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture among Secondary School Students Questionnaire (RSLORCSSSQ)’. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, precisely mean. Research question 1 was on the purpose of library use by students. Findings revealed that the students read in the library to catch funs, for personal intellectual development, to while away time, for personal intellectual development and to hide from school works. Findings revealed that students read once a week in the library. Findings also revealed that students spend less than an hour reading in the library. It was found that students prefer poetry, newspapers and magazines, novels and story books and comics. The study also found that the hours for opening the libraries is not convenient for students, most of the school library materials are outdated and are not relevant for students, the school always closes libraries and the school lacks library periods. The study concluded that concludes that non-integration of the library in the school curriculum, and catch funs were the major causes of poor reading culture. It was recommended that school administrators should encourage students to read to pass examinations, have vast knowledge about the world and development their personal intellectual, students should learn how to spend enough time of at least 2-3 hours reading in the library as it will enable them cover wide in their books and integration of school library activities into the school curricula should be suitable for students to enable them make good use of school library