Dramatic Improvement in Life Sciences Subject for Gr12 Learners
Author: Common Good
Life Sciences is a subject in which Silikamva High in Imizamo Yethu has made slow but steady improvements over the last three years.
This improvement has been due to a number of teachers working hard and with support to help learners come to grips with a difficult subject. Nonetheless, there was a lot of work to do going into 2022 to ensure that the cohort of Grade 12s taking Life Sciences performed well.
Personnel challenges meant that a young, newly qualified teacher, Miss Benzi, was tasked with teaching the subject. In her favour were a diligent and capable department head and weekly instructional coaching from a Common Good coach. And, crucially, Miss Benzi’s receptiveness to this support, her willingness not just to receive development but to put it into practice.
What happened as a result was remarkable. Silikamva’s NSC Life Sciences pass rate increase no doubt contributed to the school’s 87.4% overall pass rate. This has convinced us more than ever that the ongoing coaching of willing teachers can significantly shift the quality of teaching and learning in any classroom.