A STUDY OF THE ATTITUDE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS

Science process skill (SPS)is an essential skillrequired in studying science and achieving the reform in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria. Science process skills areinseparable from scientific processes, such as observing, experimenting, and analyzing events. The current studys primary purpose is to assess the attitude of senior secondary school students towards science process skills. Also, to determine the teachers pedagogical competence (TCP) inattitude towards science process skills. One hundred and sixteen senior secondary school students drawn from public and private secondary schools in Kogi State participated in the study. The participants completed self-report measures on attitude towards science process skills and perceived teachers pedagogical competence. The findings revealed that 65.5% of the respondents expressed a negative attitude towards science process skills. Also, it was found that teachers pedagogical competence influenced attitude towards science process skills. The findings and practical implications of the study are discussed.