Teachers’ perceptions on the implementation of lesson study in biology and its impact on learner’s performance in Solwezi district schools.

The purpose of the study was to examine the implementation of lesson study in biology in secondary schools in Solwezi district. Since its introduction in Solwezi district, it seems that there has been no study done to establish whether the implementation of lesson study has improved teaching skills for teachers and learner performance in biology.
The study used mixed method, employing a concurrent triangulation design. Questionnaires, interview guide and analysis of grade twelve examination results for the period 2005 to 2014 for the schools sampled from Solwezi district was used to collect information. A sample comprising 48 participants and examination results for grade twelve for the period between 2005 and 2014 were drawn from four schools in Solwezi district in North-Western province. The participants were purposively selected for the study. The study analysed qualitative data from questionnaires and interviews by categorizing it into emerging themes while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
The study established that lesson plans generated from school based CPD lesson study activities are kept for reference as the teachers plan lessons for their class in biology. The study also revealed that teachers through lesson study activities, had acquired teaching skills such as planning learner centered lessons, planning lessons that engage learners, ability to collaborate and being open criticize each other, when preparing lessons, reflecting on lesson, plan activities for learners that promote hands on activities and formulating lesson objectives. The study further established that lesson study activities in the secondary schools in Solwezi district had a positive impact on the performance of learners in Biology national examination, implying that lesson study implementation has helped improve the performance of learners in biology national examination.
The study recommended that, there should be considerations of introducing lesson study in the colleges of education. In addition, lesson study activities in schools should focus on identifying areas in biology as a subject that cause challenges to learners so that they can address the challenges.