The performance of learners in Physical Sciences in South Africa has been very poor for a very long time because of lack of basic understanding of scientific concepts. Given this background, there is the need to conduct an educational research to find pedagogical ways to improve performance in Physical Sciences in the secondary schools. Hence, the proposed study aims to investigate the use of science resource centres and laboratories to improve Physical Sciences education in Mthatha. In the light of the literature review, a list of facts were acquired which were used to develop the questionnaire for the Physical Sciences learners and their teachers. Seven public and private high schools in Mthatha were selected for the study. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select respondents. The study followed a non-experimental quantitative design to collect data. The main instruments used were questionnaire and interview. The various responses were analysed and interpreted with the literature. It was found that, the use of science resource centre and laboratory activities, together with a more learner-centred approach to teaching would significantly improve learner performance in Physical Sciences. The necessary recommendations and suggestions were made. It is hope that these recommendations would be taken up by the appropriate bodies to ensure that the needed benefits are obtained from the science resources, and laboratories. In this way, the science and technological base of the nation as a whole is strengthened for its development. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The exploratory study investigated school related factors responsible for high matriculaion failure rates in physical science in public high schools of Alexandra Township in South Africa. The target population included all Further Education and Training (FET) science educators and learners in Alexandra Township. An extreme-case sampling method was used to select a sample of two schools. Data was collected through two different closed questionnaires, one for educators (n=10) and the other for learners (n=250). The results were analyzed using mainly descriptive tatistics. The results, according to the views and opinions of educators and learners showed that the main causes of high failure rates are poor educator qualifications, outdated teaching methods, massive workloads, high levels of absenteeism and acute deficiencies in aspects related to: resources, subject content, classroom management skills, proficiency in language of instruction and assessment, motivation and perseverance. Recommendations for practice and policy are suggested. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The exploratory study investigated school related factors responsible for high matriculaion failure rates in physical science in public high schools of Alexandra Township in South Africa. The target population included all Further Education and Training (FET) science educators and learners in Alexandra Township. An extreme-case sampling method was used to select a sample of two schools. Data was collected through two different closed questionnaires, one for educators (n=10) and the other for learners (n=250). The results were analyzed using mainly descriptive tatistics. The results, according to the views and opinions of educators and learners showed that the main causes of high failure rates are poor educator qualifications, outdated teaching methods, massive workloads, high levels of absenteeism and acute deficiencies in aspects related to: resources, subject content, classroom management skills, proficiency in language of instruction and assessment, motivation and perseverance. Recommendations for practice and policy are suggested. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)