Exploring the Challenges faced by Teachers and Heads of Departments in the Teaching of Grade 12 map Work in Secondary Schools in Mankweng Circuit in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The study investigated the challenges faced by teachers and heads of departments in the teaching of grade 12 map work. The study was conducted at three secondary schools in Mankweng Circuit, Capricorn South District, in Limpopo Province. Most of the teachers in the circuit appeared to be struggling with the Geographic Information System section when teaching map work. The study was guided by a qualitative research approach with an exploratory research design. Purposive sampling was used to select grade 12 map work teachers and HODs in Secondary Schools. The sample of the study consisted of twelve participants, including three teachers, three HODs and six learners from three schools in Mankweng Circuit. Interviews, observations and document analysis were used as methods of data collection. The data was analyzed thematically and presented as themes emerging from the interviews. The study results revealed that Grade 12 map work teachers struggle to teach the GIS section during map work lessons. The results further confirmed that a lack of GIS knowledge is a barrier to Geography map work teaching and learning. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education should introduce compulsory GIS workshops for all educators and HODs at the beginning of every school year and quarterly, where they will train new and old educators and equip them with new trends in Geographic Information System technologies. The study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and will assist teachers and the Department of Basic Education with the best approaches to teach map work. Keywords: Geography, Map work, Teaching, GIS