Exploring teachers’ experiences of teaching Natural Science in grade seven in Mafukuzela Gandhi circuit.
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Date
2019
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Abstract
The study was conducted in Inanda. The participating schools were located in Inanda North
which is a semi-rural area North of Durban, close to Umzinyathi and Ntuzuma. These
residences have a low socio-economic status. Many learners came from disadvantaged
families, with some having teenagers as parents. Most learners’ households are solely
dependent on the social grant. The children are usually left to be taken care of by the
grandmothers and grandfathers. The learners’ school attendance is affected by family
commitments such as taking care of elderly relatives at home and by religion such as parents
or guardians keep children at home during their conference or ceremonies of Shembe Baptist
Nazareth.The schools that this study focused on did not charge school fees, and had between 1300 to
1500 learners’ enrolment. The learners had at least one meal a day at the school, courtesy of
the feeding scheme in place. The schools were considered by teachers and Mafukuzela Gandhi
inspectors as dedicated schools in terms of curriculum coverage, qualified educators, and
excelling in extra mural activities such as cultural activities, music and athletics. The schools
were also well equipped with resources such as books and computers. This study used a sample
consisting of three grade 7 Natural Science teachers from three schools in Mafukuzela Gandhi
circuit in KwaZulu-Natal. One participant from each school would represent entire group of
Natural Science teachers. This study employed research instruments such as interviews and
questionnaires as a method of collecting data. One participant from each school would
represent entire group of Natural Science teachers.
The aim of the research is to get teachers’ experiences of teaching Natural Science in grade
seven in Mafukuzela Gandhi circuit. Schools that were selected had different backgrounds that
allowed the researcher to compare and give a clear picture of teachers’ experiences of teaching
Natural Science in grade seven in Mafukuzela Gandhi circuit. The diversity was meant to
provide different context that would potentially yield different narratives, and add to the
understanding of the phenomenon to teachers and department of education. These schools
differed in terms of enrolment, provision of Natural Science equipment, and background of the
school. The teachers revealed that teaching Natural Science has made them to experience that
the content is packed and terminology is hard for learners to master in one-year. Therefore,Like paperwork, extra mural activities and loaded learners in classrooms. Another point is that came through from the research was that some teachers are less confident to teach certain content and practical’s due to lack of resources, lack of specialization of subject teacher and
lack of knowledge for practical’s in grade 7. To sum up, since the inception of education policies being landed to other foreign countries it has created a number of experiences for teachers to adapt in the curriculum implemented and adopted by department of basic education. It must be notable that Outcome Based Education (OBE) phase was implemented as a goal to
achieve learning outcomes of learning areas; the previous curriculum was implemented to fix issues arising in the education system like curriculum2005. Thus has resulted not adequate time for teachers to conceptualize these framework of teaching. Nevertheless, education system has encountered radical changes; however, teachers are experiencing several amendments in these curriculums, skills development remained in the previous curriculum programmes. The same skills that were addressed in post 1994 curriculum are still captured in CAPS. For example, lack of science laboratories or resources are still escalating, inexperience Science teachers. Therefore, thats why Natural Science teachers are experiencing difficulties in teaching Natural
Science in grade seven.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2019.