Challenges Affecting Grade 12 Learners’ Academic Examination Performance In Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level Biology In The //Kharas Region, Namibia

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges affecting Grade 12 learners’ academic performance in Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary level (NSSCO) Biology in the //Kharas Region, Namibia. The study addressed three research questions. Two categories of sample, made up of 140 learners and 12 teachers respectively were selected using the simple random sampling method to participate in the study. Furthermore, after the preliminary analysis of the questionnaires, a subsample of 12 learners and seven teachers that completed the questionnaires was purposively selected to participate in the interview. Descriptive statistics (percentages) and thematic analysis method were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The study found out learners’ challenges such as lack of learning materials, learners' indiscipline and lack of motivation; teachers’ challenges such as lack of teaching materials or laboratory facilities, lack of teaching experience, under qualified teachers, lack of subject content knowledge, etc., as some of the major factors affecting Grade 12 learners’ academic performance in NSSCO Biology. In dealing with the identified challenges, the Biology learners and teachers were of the opinion that the following measures could be employed to improve the grade 12 learners’ academic performances: (a) introducing spring school or holiday classes to cover excess workload and help slow learners; (b) giving motivational speeches to encourage the learners; (c) organising periodic training workshops for the teachers; and (d) more involvement from subject advisors to guide teachers with subject knowledge; as well as (e) tackling learners’ disciplinary problems.