WATARI: MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. VOL.2 (1), 2014. ISSN (online): 2734-3367 https://watarijournal.com 67 EFFECTIVE TEACHING OF PRACTICAL BIOLOGY COURSES AT NCE LEVEL AS A WAY FORWARD IN SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SECURITY PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA Ali Bulama & Mu’awiya Haruna Department of Biology Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State Abstract Biology education is all about teaching and learning the diversity of living organisms and how they relate to one another as well as with other non-living components of the environment. Certainly, it is dealing with any threat that may affect the security and health of the varieties of organisms including man. Against this background, this paper aims to explore the roles played by practical biology as a course at NCE level as related to its teaching/learning in enhancing security and understanding environmental problems from the grassroot based on the slogans of: “if I hear, I forget; if I see, I remember; and if I do, I understand”. It is a known fact that practically based lessons are meant to improve students’ understanding, improve skill s and prepare the students for the job market. Thus, the authors recommend among others the need of subject (practicals) allocation to the most committed, dedicated and devoted lecturers among others for the course to be effectively taught and the concepts to be effectively learnt. Keywords: Biology, Biology Education, Teaching, Learning, Environmental and Security problems Introduction Biology is the branch of science that study living components of the environment as well as how each relate to one another and the non-living components of the environment. The objectives of teaching Biology Education at NCE level as outlined in the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE, 2008). National Minimum Standards NCE Biology include: i. Viewing biology as a process of inquiry into the living world ii. Critically analyzing the activities of living things in their environment iii. Demonstrating practical skills in handling scientific apparatus