The significance of outsourced science teachers on learner academic performance: An educational management perspective

Abstract

This study explored the significance of outsourced Science teachers on the learners’ academic performance. The focus was on academic performance of learners in Physical Sciences in Limpopo Province and outsourced teachers from other countries continentally and abroad. The research population constituted all learners, outsourced teachers, parents, school managers and curriculum advisors involved in Physical Sciences in Limpopo Province. Purposive random sampling was used to obtain 1200 learners, 80 outsourced Science teachers, 40 parents, 40 school managers, and 16 curriculum advisors, all from 8 of the 10 newly demarcated districts of Limpopo Province. Three conceptual frameworks, namely, Structural Functionalism, Social Constructivism and Community of Practice coherently underpinned the study. This qualitative study used document analysis as well as face-to-face (individual) and focus-group interview schedules that were semi-structured to solicit data from the participants. Trustworthiness was guaranteed through Guba’s model of trustworthiness of qualitative research study. Data was processed, summarized and analyzed, through thematic analysis. The following research questions guided the study:  What is the significance of outsourced Science teachers on the learner academic performance?  What are the factors that influence outsourced Science teachers to teach effectively?  What are the challenges faced by outsourced Science teachers and how do they deal with them?  What model could be created which schools can envisage for insourced teachers to use? The study revealed that more than 75% of schools that performed well in 2018 Grade 12 Science from all the ten districts of Limpopo Province are manned by outsourced teachers. Several other reasons attributable to the academic achievement together with the challenges that outsourced Physical Sciences teachers face in their trade were revealed by the study. The study recommended that collaborative work approach among stakeholders to bring about good results.