Investigating the causes of high failure rate in Combined Science at Ordinary level : A case study of Chundu cluster in HurungweDistrict, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe.

Author

HOVE, C.

Title

Investigating the causes of high failure rate in Combined Science at Ordinary level : A case study of Chundu cluster in HurungweDistrict, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

This research serves to investigate the high failure rate in Combined Science at Ordinary Level in Chundu Cluster, Hurungwe District, in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. It was noted in the study that high
failure rate in Combined Science at Ordinary Level is a regional and international concern. In Zimbabwe, the causes include lack of qualified teachers, inadequate resources and infrastructure, and limited practical experience. Qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. A population of Combined Science students were used for this study, and was selected using random sampling procedures. Data was collected using a self-constructed questionnaire.
Before the study was conducted, an ethical approval letter was produced to the authority of the school for permission. For the purpose of considering ethics, an informative parent or guardian consent for was designed and administered to parents before involving under-age learners in the study, and only learners whose parents or guardians responded participated in the study. The questionnaire results suggest that a combination of factors contributes to the high failure rate in Combined Science at Ordinary Level in Zimbabwean secondary schools. Teaching methods, learner attitude, and lack of resources are all significant factors that need to be addressed to
improve student performance. The results suggest that professional development for teachers, increased resources and support, and strategies to improve learner attitude and motivation are
necessary to improve student outcomes in Combined Science.

Date

2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Zimbabwean secondary schools

failure rate,

teaching methods

learner attitude

lack of resources

Supervisor

Ms J. Muremba