Survey of Availability of Science Laboratories and Equipment in Private Secondary Schools in Kano State

This study surveyed the availability of science laboratories and equipment in private secondary schools in Kano State, Nigeria. While private secondary schools are often assumed to have superior facilities compared to their public counterparts, systematic documentation of laboratory infrastructure in private schools, particularly in the North West zone, is limited. A descriptive survey design was employed. The study targeted laboratory teachers and school administrators from 60 registered private secondary schools across Kano Municipal, Fagge, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas. A Laboratory Infrastructure Inventory Checklist, developed in accordance with the National Science Curriculum recommended equipment list and validated by science education experts, was used as the primary data collection instrument. Reliability was confirmed at 0.79. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. Findings revealed significant variation in laboratory infrastructure among private schools, with schools in the middle- and high-fee bracket recording adequate or near-adequate equipment, while budget private schools demonstrated low to very low laboratory adequacy scores. Basic consumables such as glassware, chemicals, and dissection kits were absent from approximately a third of schools surveyed. Recommendations included mandatory annual laboratory inspection by the state secondary education board, minimum laboratory standards enforcement, and a private school equipment subsidy scheme. Keywords: science laboratories, equipment availability, private secondary schools, Kano State, infrastructure audit.