The role played by Life Sciences Curriculum Advisors in ensuring that schools conduct practical work in the Western Cape, Cape Flats

Abstract

The poor performance in the Life Sciences Practical work in the Cape Flats township schools in the Western Cape is a result of a lack of resources to perform such tasks. For teachers and learners to conduct practical work effectively depends highly on curriculum advisors. Curriculum advisory is the process of overseeing and providing interventions to overcome curriculum challenges that schools face. This study investigated the role played by Life Sciences Curriculum Advisors in ensuring that schools conduct practical work in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape. Five Life Sciences curriculum advisors of the Western Cape, specifically working in the Cape Flats, were interviewed and shared documents relating to their roles. The quantitative data collected by document analysis and questionnaires were analysed. Findings showed that curriculum advisors were doing their work as per their job descriptions; however, a lack of budget, lack of manpower, and time constraints interfered with this.