Abstract:

Life Science learner performance generally becomes a concern to teachers, learners, parents, and other stakeholders in the Nylstroom Circuit at Waterberg District in the Limpopo Province. The performance of Life Science learners is not satisfactory. Low pass marks may deny learners opportunities to study for their career of choice at higher institutions of learning. The learners are encountering learning problems in various areas of their learning in Life Science, which affect their results quarterly, and at the end of their academic year. The language of teaching and learning is a challenge to most of the learners, as English is not their mother tongue. In Life Science, every chapter has an essay, structure, and terminology, which confuse the learners because they are expected to master many essays, structures, and terminology.

Life Science curriculum in Grade 10 is perceived to be too long, and as a result, teachers are just rushing to cover the scope, and learners are remaining behind without understanding of the subject. Furthermore, Life Science is one of the subjects that are very abstract, most processes and structures need a microscope, with which the learners are not familiar. Given all these challenges, the proposed study sought to investigate the factors contributing towards poor learners’ performance on the practical component of Life Science in Grade 10. The study followed a qualitative research strategy using a case study design. The researcher used purposive sampling to select eight Life Science educators and four learners at Nylstroom Circuit in Waterberg District. Data was collected through interviews and document analysis. Themes, codes and summary of the responses were done to analyze the data. The study revealed that lack of resources, lack of educator expertise in Life Science practical work, lack of workshops, overcrowded classes as well as lack of learner commitment resulted in poor learner performance in the Life Science practical component. The study recommended a collaborative framework to enhance effective teaching and learning, to improve learner academic performance. Moreover, in – service training for educators was recommended.

Keywords:

Practical work, learner, grade, educator, academic performance.