The Covid-19 pandemic situation has an impact on the world of education which does not provide sufficient space for initiatives, creativity, independent activities according to the talents, interests, and physical and psychological development of students. There is a strong commitment from all relevant parties in supporting the success of government policies that recommend creating a learning atmosphere at home in order to break the spread of the COVID-19 corona virus chain. Teachers have taken strategies to utilize technology in learning.
Education according to Law Number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System, chapter II article 3 states that National Education functions to develop capabilities and shape the character and civilization of a dignified nation in terms of educating the nation’s life, aiming at developing the potential of students to become human beings of faith. and devoted to God Almighty, noble, healthy, knowledgeable, capable, creative, independent, and become a democratic citizen. For this reason, an effort is needed in an effort to improve the quality of education that begins with improving the quality of the teaching and learning process, because the teaching and learning process is the main activity during school time. Thus, schools/madrasahs at the first level can make effective use of facilities in the teaching and learning process in general, in Mulyasa (2004:49) says that educational facilities are equipment and supplies that are directly used and support the educational process, especially the teaching and learning process, such as buildings, classrooms, as well as educational tools and media. Therefore, educational facilities are a very important factor to optimize or increase the success of the teaching and learning process.
One learning activity that functions as a supporter of the success of students in achieving one of the learning objectives, especially those related to science lessons, is practicum activities in the science laboratory. The science laboratory functions as a place for learning activities that require special equipment that is not easily presented in the classroom. Therefore, school principals, managers, science teachers, and other related elements must be able to manage and utilize science laboratories effectively and efficiently, so as to improve the quality of science learning processes and outcomes. The provision of laboratory facilities is one of the efforts made by the government to improve the quality of education, Robinson in Saleh Marzuki (2010:
In order to foster interest in learning among students in the science laboratory so that its development and development is sustainable, then as an educational institution in Madrasas that is trusted by the community in fostering and equipping science for children, it is necessary to have good quality and reliable science skills and the learning process teaching science is becoming easier and more interesting to learn.
The main points of laboratory development include:
1. Procurement of laboratory facilities and infrastructure
2. Laboratory layout
3. Inventory of tools and materials
4. Preparation of a list of orders for laboratory equipment/materials
5. Carry out practical activities
6. Administration of practicum activities and results
7. Participate in scientific activities (training, seminars, etc.).
The Science Teacher’s Duties
a. Prepare practical worksheets
b. Reporting practical activities in the Journal
c. Report incidents in the practicum (tools, damaged materials, or work accidents)
d. Guiding and supervising Practitioners.
Technician/Labran Duties:
a. Responsible for the completeness of laboratory administration
b. Responsible for the smooth operation of the laboratory
c. Propose to the Head of Madrasah the procurement of laboratory equipment/materials
d. Responsible for the cleanliness, storage, maintenance and repair of tools.
To support students’ teaching and learning activities, we as science subject teachers continue to carry out observation, experiment and research activities in the classroom by using simple tools and stored in the laboratory. For experiments and research on the environment, animals, plants, and landscapes both land, sea and air, we bring students to study in open spaces, this is in line with Kerr in his book Science Work in School Science as quoted by Sudomo (1966: 6)in Mulyanto (2019: 67), that practicum activities are experiments that are displayed by the teacher in the form of demonstrations, cooperative demonstrations by a group of students, as well as experiments and observations by students, these activities can take place in the laboratory or elsewhere.
The IPA Labratorium Development Strategy in Madrasahs first carried out a Laboratory SWOT Analysis, namely paying attention to:
A. Strength
1. Madrasas have a courtyard environment as an open space laboratory
2. Practical-based Science Learning has been implemented
3. The science laboratory already has science teachers who can optimize
Science practicum observation and experiment activities
4. Have human resources who can use, utilize laboratory
ratorium in science learning
B. Weaknesses
1. Do not have facilities and infrastructure that meet the minimum standards needed
An IPA laboratory
2. Some of the facilities and infrastructure for the science laboratory practicum tools and materials are not
Can be used again because it is broken
3. Laboratory facilities and infrastructure are in the SPM category (Servant Standards)
a minimum)
C. Opportunity
1. The existence of human resources is very supportive of science learning activities
when there are laboratory facilities that support and as government support
orders to add and improve Madrasah facilities and infrastructure
2. The existence of laboratory facilities and infrastructure is increasingly needed in the process of
Science learning session.
3. The existence of BOS funds as operational funds to support the fulfillment of
god of science laboratory
D. Challenge
1. The more advanced the flow of globalization in the development of science and technology
Technology requires us to compete in improving the quality of education
and improve human resources who are able to master science and technology so that
able to create educational output armed with mastery of theory and
skills in practice so that they have mastery in science and
master the application of technology-based science in accordance with
today’s progress.
2. Madrasas are not able to provide facilities and infrastructure to support facilities
as learning information technology, which is increasingly widespread today, wants to
in the future dating.
3. Incomplete facilities and infrastructure such as closed laboratory rooms, tools
Laboratory practicum, materials for practicum activities, and others.
It requires hard work and cooperation with various parties to
Meet these needs.
It is necessary to improve the quality of schools/madrasahs, especially in excellent service and management of science laboratories so that they are able to manage school/madrasah laboratory facilities and infrastructure properly and improve quality human resources.
The potentials that can be developed and support school programs are as follows:
a. High student interest
b. High parental support
c. The quality of the teaching staff/trainers is quite good
d. Cooperation between school residents is quite high
e. The situation of security is quite conducive
f. Safe and comfortable school environment
So that by understanding this, we can increase our understanding and skills in science laboratory management, and can understand the advantages and disadvantages of laboratory facilities and infrastructure owned by each school/madrasah where we work.