Students' Achievement in Basic Science and Technology as a Predictor of Quality Science Education

The study investigated whether students’ achievement in Basic Science and Technology in Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is a predictor of quality of science education in Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The students’ scores in Basic Science and Technology in BECE for 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 academic sessions and their corresponding science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics results in Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions respectively were used. Regression analysis was used to answer the research questions as well as to test the null hypotheses. The findings revealed that students’ achievement in Basic Science and Technology is a moderate predictor of quality education in Biology (β = 19.2%). The results also showed that the achievement of students in Basic Science and Technology significantly predicts their quality of education in Chemistry (β = 15.7%). It was also found that the achievement of students in Basic Science and Technology significantly predicts their quality of education in Physics (β = 14.6%). It was recommended among others that placement of students into science classes in senior secondary level should be strictly dependent on their achievement in Basic Science and Technology so as to guarantee acquisition of high quality science education at the senior secondary school. There should be a strong and reliable counseling unit in the schools with counselors to help handle the issue of placement in case any issue of interest arises either from the parent or student. Workshops, seminars and symposia should be organized regularly for science teachers to update their knowledge to enable them to teach Basic Science and Technology effectively thereby guarantees quality science education.