The teaching of natural sciences in the curriculum of Middle schools : North West Province

Abstract

This thesis sought to investigate the teaching of natural sciences in the curriculum of middle schools. This was because the Government of South Africa had introduced a new curriculum to replace an apartheid curriculum which existed in the country before 1994. Outcomes- Based Education (OBE) was chosen as the medium through which the curriculum was to be made known to learners. OBE like all educational theories and principles has its characteristics and specific approaches to teaching, which were different from the teacher - centred approaches science teachers were used to. This placed on teachers the task of teaching science using OBE. There were other problems and challenges which they had to overcome in order to teach effectively. The purpose of the research was to determine the extent to which natural science teachers practiced OBE in their teaching. The study sought Jo answer the following research questions: - To what extent was Grade 7 to 9 natural science teachers able to use Outcomes Based Education methods and principles to teach natural science? - Which challenges did middle school science teachers experience in the use of Outcomes Based Education in the teaching of natural sciences to learners in Grades 7 to 9? - How could the challenges experienced by the science teachers in the use of Outcomes Based Education in their teaching be addressed? The study drew its population and sample from natural science teachers of the middle schools of the Mmabatho, Mafikeng, ltsoseng and Bodibe areas. The teachers responded to questions from questionnaires and interviews. The data collected was then subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The following are the main findings of the study : That the middle school science teachers had little or no knowledge on OBE and needed more workshops and or in-service training and development in OBE strategies and teaching skills. They also needed further education and certification to improve : That the unavailability of laboratories, apparatus, chemicals and other learner support materials such as text books and a school library have influence on the teachers ability to prepare lessons to suit specific topics and they could not prepare lesson plans from any other sources except from prescribed textbooks. The teachers needed support from the Department of Education officials to understand and apply OBE in their classrooms. Views they had on OBE as to its usefulness or otherwise were formed based on how Department of Education officials interpreted it to them. Finally to ensure success and effective implementation, the study expressed the need for further research to be conducted in matters that affect the teaching and learning of science such as; teachers knowledge in OBE science teaching strategies and assessment practices; teaching and learning support and, in-service training and science teacher development and education. A research on the impact of OBE on learners at middle schools was suggested as a sequel to the topic of this research.