Challenges And Coping Strategies of Science Teachers

Abstract

This study explored the different challenges teachers experienced in teaching science subjects. It also tackles the techniques or strategies that teachers use to overcome the challenges they are experiencing. This study utilizes a qualitative descriptive case study design to explain the teachers' challenges, the effects of the challenges, and the coping strategies they use to address the challenges they face in teaching science. The researchers interviewed six participants from one of the private schools in Pagadian City, Philippines. Data collected from each interview were analyzed to come up with different categories. The findings revealed that the research participants are experiencing different challenges experienced, experiencing isolation, lacking laboratory materials, dealing with uninterested students, difficulty identifying the student's needs, lack of proficiency with new equipment, difficulty in adopting the new curriculum, and lacking administrative support. These challenges also unveiled the following effects: science neglect hinders appreciation, compromises the learning outcomes due to mediocre education, lacks actual learning and students' restricted progress, and enhances professional growth and increased motivation. With these challenges and effects encountered, the teachers were able to come up with four strategies to deal with the challenges and effects. The following are the strategies: promoting collaborative experimentation among students, exploring alternative substitutes for experimentation materials, presenting digitized activities, and embracing open-mindedness and adaptability in teaching, allowing them to effectively address and identify the difficulties and allowing them to create a more conducive learning environment and fostering professional growth and increased motivation among teachers and students.