Factors affecting the academic achievement of learners in Physical Sciences in selected Limpopo rural secondary schools

Abstract

The study explored factors that affect learner academic achievement in Physical Sciences in Limpopo rural secondary schools. The motivation for the research was based on the high failure in Physical Sciences in South African schools. The new Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) has brought changes in the teaching and learning of Physical Sciences such as assessment processes, methodology and new content. It was worth pointing out that the achievement of Physical Sciences learners gives an indication of the effectiveness and efficiency of Physical Sciences teaching and learning. Therefore, identifying the factors entails important issues which are of great relevance to the way Physical Sciences should be taught in schools to improve learner academic achievement. The primary question was “Which factors impact on learners’ academic achievement in Physical Sciences in Limpopo rural secondary schools?” In order to answer this question a qualitative approach and qualitative survey design were used and individual interviews were carried out with Physical Sciences teachers, principals, parents and curriculum advisors. Data was further collected through focus group interviews with Physical Sciences learners. Purposeful sampling was used to identify the participants. Data analysis in this research was aimed at giving appropriate meaning to the views of the Physical Sciences teachers, Physical Sciences learners, principals, curriculum advisors and parents on factors affecting learner academic achievement in Physical Sciences. The data was audio-recorded, transcribed and printed. The interview transcriptions were organised into themes by coding. The coded data was used to form the true analysis of the activity system by identifying the purpose of the activity in order to get clarifications. This included the context of the Physical Sciences teaching and learning and learner academic achievement. The results according to the perceptions of Physical Sciences teachers, Physical Sciences learners, principals, curriculum advisors and parents showed that the main issues of high failure rate are lack of adequate resources, teacher effectiveness, lack of motivation, high teacher-learner ratio, workload, discipline of learners, supervision of teachers, parental involvement, management and leadership skills, and appropriate teaching methods. Recommendations for practice and policy are suggested and the indication was that provision of common tasks to teachers and formation of subject committees decreases the workload. The availability of resources allows learners to do practical work and improve performance. The goal was to engage learners in challenging and stimulating tasks with appropriate help from the teachers to improve achievement. In order for the teacher to provide assistance to the learners there must be maximum teacher-learner ratio. Effective supervision ensures that teachers and learners are punctual, which will ensure maximum use of available teaching time and timely completion of the work schedules or pace setters. A smaller number of learners per class could result in improved performance in Physical Sciences. It is important for principals to instil discipline in learners. The support and value of NGOs to assist in sharing workload by carrying out experiments in secondary schools was acknowledged.