Abstract:

Due to the very low quality of physics accreditation in South Africa, few students have the admissions qualifications to pursue a physics career in higher education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers to high achievement of secondary school physics students in western Tshwane, Gauteng province. This study included three high schools in the western Tswane region using a qualitative approach and a case study design. There are three schools with the highest achievements in Physics in Year 12 in 2017. The study involved physics teachers and students in grades 11 and 12. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and observations from a physics class. The semi-structured interview was conducted with 4 science teachers, including the heads of departments (HODs) of the 3 high schools, and 15 students in the 11th and 12th grades of science. The identities of all participants were not disclosed. Data were analyzed according to the general consent of the participants. Data were organized by subject and then manually coded using literature review. Based on the results, there are several factors that prevent high performance in physics in the district's three schools, including failing to complete the 12th grade curriculum on time, or parents forcing students to study physics in high school (especially in grade 11). Barriers have been identified. Lack of motivation, negative attitudes of students to the subject, poverty, crime, dysfunctional assumptions. Recommendations for improvement have been provided to areas identified in the scientific laboratory. Curriculum developers in the Ministry of Education should revise the physics science curriculum, especially with the goal of reducing the number of topics covered in grades 11 and 12. Poverty and crime must be addressed because students are either hungry or cannot learn in an unsafe environment. It also suggested that the Ministry of Education should help provide the resources needed for effective science education.

Keywords:

Barriers, high performance, Physical Science, STEM, township schools.