PERCEPTION OF DIFFICULT TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY CURRICULUM BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research was conducted to identify topics perceived in chemistry curriculum perceived
difficult by chemistry students in secondary schools in Osun State Nigeria. Four hundred (400)
senior secondary three (SS3) chemistry students were randomly selected from five educational
zones in Osun State. This study is a descriptive research. Some research questions and
hypotheses were raised. A researcher designed questionnaire was used to generate information
from the students. Percentages, mean, variance and t-test statistics were used to analyze
research data collected. The result of the analysis showed that chemistry students perceived
seven (7) topics (65%) out of eleven (11) difficult to comprehend. The study also showed that
students' gender and school location have no influence on their perception of difficult topics in
chemistry curriculum, while school nature influenced perception of chemistry topics. It was
recommended that they senior school certificate examinations (SSCE) chemistry curriculum be
reviewed by examination bodies.