شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This study aimed at identifying the challenges hindering the goal achievement of improved Mathematics and Science curricula from the point of view of intermediate school teachers in Saudi Arabia. Fifty intermediate stage teachers teaching the developed Science and Mathematics curricula in Jazan participated in the study. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers to achieve the aim of the study. The research reached many results showing that the improved Mathematics and Science curricula in Saudi Arabia faced many challenges that hinder achieveing their goals. Some of these results are: The great shortage in labs and aids necessary for supporting lesson explanations in the improved curricula. The great number of unfamiliar concepts, terms and definitions for the students, within each lesson. The inconvenience of some items for the Saudi environment. The impossibility of achieving some activities included in the improved curricula. The administrative work load over the shoulders of the improved curricula teachers, in a way that exceeds their teaching load. The insufficiency and inadequacy of training courses organized for improved Mathematics and Science curricula teachers. The belief from the part of the students that the guiding teacher is not mastering the subject matter of the course (as the role of the teacher in the improved curricula is confined to guiding and counseling).The following recommendations have been suggested by the research: The importance of training the improved Mathematics and Science curricula teachers constantly, so as to guarantee the achievement of the improved curricula goals. The necessity of confining the teaching of the improved curricula mainly to specialized teachers. Organizing field workshops for the teachers on the implementation of modern educational theories in teaching. The necessity of incorporating the topics in both curricula (Mathematics and Science) to the students' real-life experiences. The importance of providing middle schools in Saudi Arabia with the modern technologies, aids, books, and classrooms required for the teaching of the improved Mathematics and Science curricula. Working on decreasing the teaching load of Mathematics and Science teachers to help them perform more effectively. (Published abstract)