Assessing the Management and Use of Education Resources in Sub-Hub Schools of Mpumalanga’s Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy

This study assessed the management of educational resources in four Mathematics, Science, and Technology Academy (MSTA) sub-hub schools in Mpumalanga, as well as their use in teaching and learning. While these schools are well-resourced, it is unclear how these resources are managed and used. It is critical to provide answers to this issue, considering that MSTA is a specialised project that seeks to support teaching and learning. The focus in this study was on science. Four MSTA-designated schools participated in the study, represented by one principal and one departmental head per school, as well as four teachers from School A, two from School B, three from School C, and two from School D, giving a total of 19 participants who were conveniently available to participate in focus group interviews (FGIs) in 2022 and 2023. One teacher teaching science to eleventh and twelfth graders was also observed in both years through non-participant observation. Inductive analysis was conducted, resulting in two emergent themes: resource availability and its use for teaching and learning, and the management and maintenance of resources. The findings showed that the schools were reasonably well-resourced. However, the management, use, and maintenance of these resources varied across the schools, showing effectiveness as well as some flaws.