AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY GRADE 11 AND 12 TEACHERS IN THE TEACHING OF BIOLOGY IN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN THE KATIMA MULILO EDUCATION CIRCUIT.

Ayiawung, Mirabel Moakong; Ncube, Dingindawo; Nkengbeza, David

The aim of this paper was to investigate the challenges, faced by grade 11 and 12 teachers in the teaching of Biology in selected schools. The training of science teachers after independence till today has not succeeded in fully addressing the challenges teachers faced in the teaching of Biology. The study was guided by researchers like Lebata and Mudau [1], Makeleni, and Sethusha [2] who discovered that teachers faced challenges in the teaching of Biology because of the lack of well-equipped laboratories, limited prescribed textbooks, and overcrowded classes. The researchers use a case study design and a qualitative research approach in executing this study. A qualitative research approach was used in this study. The major findings include the lack of well-equipped laboratories and libraries, which have hindered the teaching and learning of Biology in the selected schools. The lack of adequate prescribed textbooks and overcrowded classrooms further hindered the teachers' ability to impart knowledge to their learners. Large Biology syllabus content and learners' poor attitude among others, are other challenges hindering the quality of teaching in the selected schools. We recommend that the Ministry of Education should build modern libraries and equip them with computers and internet connectivity, textbooks, and e-learning tools to help learners and teachers inculcate a culture of reading and studying. Teachers should introduce shared personal practice, and collective learning and application as used in professional learning communities. Teachers and principals should request for sponsors to build well-equipped laboratories and libraries for the schools. Teachers and principals can also request to temporally use the laboratories in other schools that have the needed facilities.

BIOLOGY education; BIOLOGY teachers; BIOLOGY students; QUALITATIVE research; TEXTBOOKS

ScienceRise: Pedagogical Education, 2023, Vol 55, Issue 4, p35

2519-4976

Academic Journal

10.15587/2519-4984.2023.285502