TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF HOMEWORK AS AN ASSESSMENT TOOL IN PRIMARY SCIENCE EDUCATION

INSIGHTS FROM DELTA STATE, NIGERIA WITH COUNSELLING IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

A popular teaching method, homework is frequently used to evaluate students' comprehension and reinforce their learning. However, there is controversy regarding the validity of homework as an assessment tool in elementary scientific education, particularly with regard to how well it gauges individual accomplishment and practical abilities. Primary school instructors in Delta State, Nigeria, regularly assign homework, but little research has been done on how they see its importance and difficulties. The purpose of this study was to find out how primary school teachers felt about homework as a scientific evaluation tool. The study aimed to understand teachers' opinions on its efficacy, implementation difficulties, suitability for evaluating practical activities, and its wider function in reinforcing learning. Data was gathered from 188 primary school teachers in Delta State using a descriptive survey design. Participants filled out a standardized questionnaire to gauge their opinions on the usefulness, constraints, and overall goal of homework. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. to the findings, teachers usually believe that homework helps students learn science, but many have reservations about using it for official evaluation. Among the difficulties noted include reliance on outside help, academic dishonesty (copying), and workload limitations that compromise the thoroughness of grading. The majority of educators believe that homework is inappropriate for evaluating practical science assignments that call for active participation. Rather than being a significant assessment tool, they see homework as an additional, formative tool. The results underscore the need to encourage students' self-directed learning, moral study habits, and stress management, which has ramifications for counselling psychologists employed in educational environments. The study also highlights how crucial it is to advise parents on how best to assist with homework and promote productive study habits.