Science And Mathematics Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Enacting Learner-Centred Instructional Practices in Secondary Schools
Article Number: e2025585 | Available Online: December 2025 | DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.19.585
Thumah Mapulanga , Loyiso Currell Jita , Anbumegala Murugesan , Euginia Nyirenda
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Abstract
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Background/purpose. Since teachers’ self-efficacy (TSE) beliefs influence the instructional practices used in the classroom, investigating TSE beliefs in using learner-centred instructional practices may inform research, policy, and practice. Therefore, this study aimed to validate a survey questionnaire to measure science and mathematics teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs regarding the enactment of learner-centred instructional practices, and to examine TSE beliefs and the extent to which teacher characteristics may influence them. Materials/methods. A quantitative survey design was employed to measure the TSE beliefs of science and mathematics teachers regarding the enactment of learner-centred instructional practices. An online seven-point questionnaire was distributed to teachers enrolled at three Zambian universities, and 257 respondents completed it. Results. Data analysis using SPSS shows that the questionnaire was reliable (α = .944). Additionally, teachers report high TSE beliefs in being able to apply learner-centred instructional practices. Furthermore, differences in TSE beliefs between in-service and pre-service teachers were statistically significant (p < .001). Nevertheless, the statistical differences based on gender, age, teaching experience, specialisation, and highest qualification were not significant. The implications of these findings were discussed. |
Conclusion. The study concluded that the questionnaire was valid and that teachers reported high self-efficacy beliefs, and that pre-service and in-service teachers' beliefs were statistically significant. However, self-efficacy beliefs were not influenced by their gender, age, years of teaching experience, specialisation, and highest qualifications. The study recommends comparing teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs with their actual classroom enactment of learner-centred instructional practices. Research may collect data from different stakeholders, such as school administrators, learners, and parents, regarding teachers’ enactment of learner-centred instructional practices.
Keywords: Instructional practices, science/mathematics, learner-centred, secondary school teachers, self-efficacy beliefs
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