Exploring the Roles and Responsibilities of Secondary School Teachers in the Implementation of the Revised Biology Curriculum

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the roles and responsibilities of Secondary school teachers in the implementation of the revised Biology curriculum. In order to gain an in depth understanding of the roles and responsibilities Secondary school teachers in the implementation of the revised Biology curriculum in Ompundja Circuit in the Oshana Region in Namibia, the study employed a descriptive case study design. In this study, the researchers decided to employ a qualitative approach because it provided a better understanding in depth on the topic at hand. The population of this study constituted of all Biology teachers teaching in the Secondary schools of Ompundja Circuit in the Oshana Region, Namibia. A sample of fifteen teachers were purposively selected from five (5) Secondary schools in Ompundja Circuit to participate in this study. The study used the semi-structured face to face interview. The collected data was analysed qualitatively and was transcribed and coded for themes identification and analysis. This study has revealed a variety of important roles and responsibilities that Biology teachers play in enhancing the implementation of the revised Biology curriculum. The study's findings in the Ompundja Circuit, in the implementation of the revised Biology curriculum revealed that Biology teachers actively promote the use of medium of instruction among learners in classroom settings and they use the medium of instruction interaction when collaborating on learners’ tasks, either individually or in groups. These teachers also provide feedback, assess learners’ performance, develop activities in line with grade-level competencies, plan their teaching strategies, and create instructional materials. The study, further, revealed that lesson planning gives teachers’ guidance on how to accomplish their goals and makes it possible for them to satisfy the expectations of their learners as strongly mentioned in the study by participants. On the last note, the study also revealed that teachers in the Ompundja Circuit create a positive learning environment for stimulating teaching and learning.