Enhancement of Grade 12 learners performance in Physical Sciences in Mopani District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to enhance Grade 12 learners’ performance in Physical Sciences in Mopani District, in the Limpopo Province. The study adopted a mixed methods research. The population of the study comprised of Grade 12 Physical Sciences learners and teachers. 10 schools from 10 circuits in the Mopani Education District were randomly sampled. The simple random sampling technique was also applied to select a quantitative sample of 100 Grade 12 Physical Sciences learners. 1 teacher and 10 learners from each school who were purposively selected participated in this study. Quantitative data were analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Qualitative data were analysed and interpreted thematically. The major findings of this study were that there are some modern, efficient and effective strategies that were not implemented in the system to enhance Physical Sciences learners’ performance in Mopani district. These strategies included efficient use of learning text books, laboratory experiments, ICT gadgets, educational fieldtrips, appropriate teaching approaches and the best learners learning styles. The study recommends that the Department of Education should provide adequate textbooks, well-equipped laboratories, and ICT gadgets to all high schools’ secondary schools in the district. Teachers should also improve their use effective teaching approaches which include hands on or student centred learning, inquiry- based learning, projects based and cooperative learning.