Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa

This study examines teachers' perspectives on the academic performance of progressed learners. The research adopted an interpretive paradigm aligned with qualitative methods, using purposive sampling to engage 10 Grade 12 teachers through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the dat...

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Main Author: Mbusiseni Celimpilo Dube
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ERRCD Forum 2025-06-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijer/article/view/1762
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author Mbusiseni Celimpilo Dube
author_facet Mbusiseni Celimpilo Dube
author_sort Mbusiseni Celimpilo Dube
collection DOAJ
description This study examines teachers' perspectives on the academic performance of progressed learners. The research adopted an interpretive paradigm aligned with qualitative methods, using purposive sampling to engage 10 Grade 12 teachers through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that progressed learners are often segregated, struggle with understanding English as a Language of Learning and Teaching, find it difficult to cope with the workload in Grade 12, and most come from child-headed families. The study concludes that most teachers are dissatisfied with progressed learners because they did not meet the requirements for progression, and if they perform poorly, teachers feel they are to blame. It is recommended that teachers be trained and equipped with the necessary teaching strategies for handling progressed learners, particularly those who progressed after meeting the progression requirements. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) should monitor the progress of these learners and obtain regular feedback from teachers regarding their academic performance. This can help identify cases where both teachers and learners need support. Teachers should not compromise the quality of education by teaching in the learners' vernacular; instead, they should teach in English, as assessments are conducted in English. The School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) should identify progressed learners who are heading families and seek support for them from relevant individuals or departments. Parents and teachers should sign a memorandum of understanding outlining their roles in supporting progressed learners. Additionally, progressed learners should be taught skills to help them cope with the pressures of the new grade.
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spelling doaj-art-d360d1bf95b64db8aa7c87e90f6421ee2025-07-18T22:05:10ZengERRCD ForumInterdisciplinary Journal of Education Research2710-21142710-21222025-06-017s1a14a1410.38140/ijer-2025.vol7.s1.141728Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South AfricaMbusiseni Celimpilo Dube0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9451-0455University of South Africa, South Africa This study examines teachers' perspectives on the academic performance of progressed learners. The research adopted an interpretive paradigm aligned with qualitative methods, using purposive sampling to engage 10 Grade 12 teachers through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that progressed learners are often segregated, struggle with understanding English as a Language of Learning and Teaching, find it difficult to cope with the workload in Grade 12, and most come from child-headed families. The study concludes that most teachers are dissatisfied with progressed learners because they did not meet the requirements for progression, and if they perform poorly, teachers feel they are to blame. It is recommended that teachers be trained and equipped with the necessary teaching strategies for handling progressed learners, particularly those who progressed after meeting the progression requirements. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) should monitor the progress of these learners and obtain regular feedback from teachers regarding their academic performance. This can help identify cases where both teachers and learners need support. Teachers should not compromise the quality of education by teaching in the learners' vernacular; instead, they should teach in English, as assessments are conducted in English. The School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) should identify progressed learners who are heading families and seek support for them from relevant individuals or departments. Parents and teachers should sign a memorandum of understanding outlining their roles in supporting progressed learners. Additionally, progressed learners should be taught skills to help them cope with the pressures of the new grade.https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijer/article/view/1762progressed learnersteachers' perspectivesprogressionprogression policy
spellingShingle Mbusiseni Celimpilo Dube
Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research
progressed learners
teachers' perspectives
progression
progression policy
title Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_full Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_fullStr Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_short Progressed learners as a burden for teachers: A case of selected participants from Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_sort progressed learners as a burden for teachers a case of selected participants from limpopo province south africa
topic progressed learners
teachers' perspectives
progression
progression policy
url https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijer/article/view/1762
work_keys_str_mv AT mbusisenicelimpilodube progressedlearnersasaburdenforteachersacaseofselectedparticipantsfromlimpopoprovincesouthafrica