The Relevance of Science Education

The Relevance of Science Education

As seen by Pupils in Ghanaian Junior Secondary Schools.

Ishmael Kwesi Anderson A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education, University of the Western Cape.

Supervisors: Prof. Svein Sj?berg (University of Oslo, Norway) Prof. ?yvind Mikalsen (University of Bergen, Norway) Prof. Cyril Julie (University of the Western Cape, South Africa).

November 2006

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DECLARATION

I declare that Relevance of Science Education: as seen by Pupils in Ghanaian Junior Secondary Schools is my work, that it has not been submitted for any degree or examination in any other university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references.

Ishmael Kwesi Anderson

November 2006

Signed.............................................

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DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to Nana Andah, Ekua Ewuduwa, Netseba Dede (children), Mrs. Sylvia Esi Anderson (wife), Madam Mary Aba Odoom (mother) and the memory of my late father, Rev. Philip Robert Anderson.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I humbly acknowledge with thanks the Almighty God for His grace, love and strength to do this research. I thank the management of the University of Education, Winneba, where I work as a lecturer, for the financial assistance, which made it possible for me to complete this research. I have leaned, especially on the tremendous help from Professor J. AnamuahMensah and I wish to thank him most sincerely.

I also owe a depth of gratitude to Professors Svein Sj?berg, ?yvind Mikalsen and Cyril Julie who dedicated their precious time to guide me in this research. Their supervisory role in this research showed their absolute commitment to this study. I always remember Professor Svein Sj?berg, welcoming me to stay at the University of Oslo for three months and provided me with financial assistance and have continued to give me the moral support, patience and encouraging comments during the work. I am also most grateful to Professors ?yvind and Cyril who were always available to satisfy my needs and for their perfect coordination of the Graduate Studies in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (GRASSMATE) project.

I acknowledge with thanks the financial assistance from GRASSMATE and Relevance of Science Education (ROSE) project to the development of this research. I am also very grateful to the Department of Mathematics and Science Education of the University of the Western Cape where the GRASSMATE project is linked in the South.

I am thankful for the support, encouragement and the important discussions I have received from Camilla Schreiner during my stay in Oslo and at GRASSMATE seminars. I also want to thank the Department of Teacher Education and School Development, University of Oslo for their support during my stay in Oslo. Special thanks go to my fellow students at the GRASSMATE project. We have had a lot of fun together during seminars. I want to thank them for the inspiring discussion and fellowship.

Thanks are also extended to all the helpful lecturers in editing and the computer work. Dr. A.Y. Quashigah and M. Afull-Boachi have willingly used their time and competence to proof-read different parts of this work. Special thanks also go to Mr. I. Tete-Mensah for assisting me with the computer competence needed in part of my work.

Last but not least I acknowledge the sacrifices my wife and children made in allowing me to leave them alone in my home country to travel regularly to Oslo and Cape Town to work on this thesis.

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RELEVANCE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

AS SEEN BY PUPILS IN GHANAIAN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS Ishmael Kwesi Anderson

KEYWORDS Ghana Relevance of science education Affective factors Science curriculum School science and technology Constructivism Gender Geographical background Cultural diversity Comparative study

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