Impact of Using Low-cost Materials for Effective Teaching and Learning Chemistry at Lower Secondary Schools in Rwanda

Emery Ncutinamagara, Jean Baptiste Nkurunziza and Nelson Makhosi
African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS),
College of Educations, University of Rwanda
Email: emeryncuti5@gmail.com

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of using low-cost materials for effective teaching and learning chemistry in lower secondary schools. The study was guided by one objective which was: To determine the effectiveness of using low-cost materials on learners’ academic performance in teaching and learning Acids, Bases, and pH at lower secondary schools. The study included a sample of Senior One chemistry students from four schools and four teachers from Ngoma District of Rwanda. Using a quasi-experimental research design, these students were divided into control group (n = 58) and experimental groups (n = 56). Students in the experimental group received treatment utilizing low-cost materials in chemistry lessons. In contrast, in the control group, students were taught via traditional methods, where they utilized textbooks. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that students in the experimental group who were given instruction utilizing low-cost materials in lessons outperformed those in the control group in the academic achievement test with a high effect size. Therefore, using low-cost materials may improve students’ achievement.