Exploring Tanzanian Secondary School Teachers Experiences for Implementing the Current Practical Examination Instructions

Honesta Libali Opanga David
St John’s university of Tanzania, Dodoma
Email: libalih@gmail.com

Abstract: Science subjects’ assessment requires practical work assessment. During practical examinations, the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) provides science teachers with advance instructions on how to prepare and arrange the laboratory for practical work. Recently, NECTA has reduced the time for science practical exams preparation for Form 4 national examinations from 24 to 3 hours, which prompts the current study’s purpose. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of these changes on science teachers’ ability to effectively prepare and arrange practicals under such context. The study involved 40 science subject teachers and 10 heads of schools from 10 secondary schools in Dodoma City, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through questionnaires, and interviews with teachers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data from the interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. The study findings reveal that currently, exam secrecy is highly maintained, with enhanced supervision by the chief examiner during the preparation period. However, the major challenges to science teachers in the preparation of the science practical examination include the new timeframe being insufficient, the insufficient funds associated with materials for the practical, and teachers lack room to provide feedback on the time allocated. The study recommends the increased time for preparation, that is, teachers’ feelings of competence in the teaching and supervision, and sufficient funds for practical examination material preparations.