Science and technology improvement strategies in a dwindling economy

Abstract

Science and Technology form the bedrock of industrial and socio-economic developments of any nation. Although the entire world suffers economic down turn at some point in time, the case of developing and less developed countries is usually very dip. Such a state of dwindling economy as a result of decline in gross domestic product (GDP) for two or more consecutive quarters retards the progress and success of science and technology knowledge expansion at all levels given the very high costs of needed resources. The condition brings about system failure, limited access to and coverage, poor performance and achievement of students. This paper reports a three year study of how to practically improve the poor state of science and technology teaching and learning at the face of paucity of appropriate and adequate instructional materials, using a mixed grid improvised technologies (local and technological tools) for Chemistry and Physical sciences in South Africa. The study made use of 115 willing Chemistry and Physical science using an embed research design with a mixed method approach. The effects of the improvement strategies were determined and reported. As part of the findings, the teachers were found to have gained content knowledge, love for becoming more resourceful, increased dexterity in practical tasks that highly improved the performance and achievement of their students as measured by their improved matriculation results.