Staff Faculty: Science Education

Mrs Nthatisi Puputla is a Biology Education lecturer at NUL. She holds MSc. Ed degree in Biology education and BSc. Ed degree in Biology and Geography education both obtained from NUL in 2005 and 2021 respectively. Before joining NUL as a lecturer, Nthatisi was a high school Biology teacher for 15 years. She is a member of Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE), through Lesotho Chapter.

Sechaba Koma is a Physics Education lecturer at NUL. He holds MSc. Ed degree in physics education and BSc. Ed degree in physics and mathematics education both obtained from NUL in 2012 and 2018 respectively. Before joining NUL as a lecturer, Sechaba was a high school physics and mathematics teacher for 8 years, then inspector in the Ministry of Education and Training for 1 year and 7 months. He is a member of Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE), through Lesotho Chapter. Research interests: Effective pedagogical strategies in physics and use of technology in science education.

Mr Sikeme Raphoka is a Mathematics Education Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Science Education of Faculty of Education at National University of Lesotho. He has been in the Mathematics and Science teaching profession for over 16 years. His research interests include among others Mathematics instructional practices and pedagogy; Mathematics Anxiety/attitudes/beliefs; Mathematics Leaner-Autonomy; curriculum studies. He is currently a PhD candidate in Mathematics Education (with foci on Pedagogical and Learning practices in a Mathematics Learner-Autonomous Environments) with University of the Witwatersrand. He is a subscribed member of Southern-African Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE). Besides his work as a lecturer, he provides Mathematics and Science in-service-teachers with professional development support through interactive workshops, school visits and instant discussions, intertwined with progressive research projects meant for the purpose of supporting teachers at their work place.

Mr. Lereko G Mohafa is a chemistry Education Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education at the National University of Lesotho. He holds the following qualifications; BSc. Education degree in Chemistry and Biology and MSc. degree in Chemistry Education from the National University of Lesotho (NUL). He has been in the teaching profession for over a decade. His research interests include among others, use and Integration of Information and communication Technology (ICT) tools for teaching and learning in Science. He is a member of the South African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) –Lesotho Chapter.

Dr Maboi Mphunyane is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Science Education of the National University of Lesotho (NUL). He holds the following qualifications: BSc.Ed (National University of Lesotho), B.Ed. Hons and MEd (Mathematics Education) (University of the Witwatersrand), and PhD (Curriculum Studies with focus on Mathematics Education) (University of the Free State). He teaches Mathematics curriculum studies courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervises students who pursue Master’s degree in the Department of Science Education. His experience as a teacher educator began when he was serving as a lecturer at the Lesotho College of Education for slightly over 10 years starting from 2006. Dr Mphunyane’s research interests include curriculum issues and development, teacher professional development, classroom practice with focus on Mathematics Education, and use of technologies (including learning management systems) for teaching and learning. He is currently a member of the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) and currently serves in the Local Chapter committee as the Treasurer. He also previously served the National University of Lesotho working in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) as Academic Developer for Educational Technology. His responsibilities in that portfolio included developing training programmes for supporting staff and students in use of the NUL Learning Management System (Thuto) and other technologies for teaching and learning. His other contributions to the Centre include development of the policy for the NUL Learning Management System and participation in the development of a programme document for the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE) offered by the CTL. He also teaches one of the courses in the PGDHE.

Mamohato is a Chemistry education lecturer at the National University of Lesotho, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate methodology/curriculum studies courses, including supervision of MSc. Education students. She received a BSc. Education degree in Chemistry and Geography from the National University of Lesotho in 2007 and the MSc. degree in Chemistry Education from the National University of Lesotho in 2014. She received a PhD in Chemistry education from The University of Witwatersrand in 2021, awaiting graduation. She wrote her PhD on the link through which PGCE student teachers’ topic specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge is transferred in planning, into enactment and into influencing learner outcomes. Before this, she taught high school Science for 10 years, from 2007 to 2017 at Khukhune high school where she also served as a head of Mathematics and Science department from 2009 to 2017. From 2012 to 2013 she served as an acting deputy principal at the same school. From 2017 to 2020, she was a tutor and sessional lecturer for BEd, PGCE and MEd science education courses at the University of Witwatersrand. Her research interest is on teacher professional development (at pre-service and in-service levels). The aim is to equip Science teachers with competence to deliver sound science lessons that enhance learning and increase conceptual understanding by developing their pedagogical content knowledge.

Mrs. Marafolatsane Thakane Seeiso began her teaching career as Agriculture and Science subject teacher at Maseribane High School. Besides teaching responsibilities, she performed several administrative and management responsibilities within the school, which included Headship of the Department (HOD). She participated in several in-service activities such as the development of a Localized Agriculture Syllabus in High Schools, and the implementation of the new Integrated School Curriculum under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and teaching at the Lesotho College of Education. Mrs. Seeiso is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Department of Science Education at the National University of Lesotho. She has participated in several seminars and conference presentations and published six journal articles in accredited international journals from her dissertation. She received an award from the Rectorate Office in recognition of her contribution to the research output of the North-West University in 2012. She is a member of Sustainable Development (ESD) for Teacher Educators in Southern Africa and is contributing in the change project that is currently underway at the National University of Lesotho. She is the Coordinator for Physical Education and Sports Programme Development project which involves the collaboration of the National University of Lesotho, the Lesotho government and Cuba government (CENTRO INTERNATIONAL DE LA HABANA SA).

Tšepo Mokuku is a full Professor in Science and Environmental Education at the National University of Lesotho. He has a broad knowledge of Science & Technology Education and curriculum development issues at school and teacher education institution levels, in the context of Lesotho. His research focal areas are innovative science pedagogy, sustainability education, and indigenous knowledge systems and has several seminal publications in the areas. He also has a particular interest in citizens’ science and has initiated significant ongoing innovative community-based development project in this area, in respect of biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. Mokuku has co-founded, as well as Chair of the following networks: Regional Centre of Expertise-Lesotho on Environmental Sustainability, affiliated to United Nations University in Japan; Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) and SAARMSTE-Lesotho Chapter, affiliated to the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics Science Technology Education (SAARMSTE).

Makomosela Qhobela (PhD) is the Head of Science Education Department. He is an Associate Professor in Physics Education at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). He obtained a Bachelor of Science Education degree at NUL in 1990. In 1994 he obtained BSc Honours at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and in 1996 completed MSc, in Physics Education, in the same university. He obtained PhD in 2008 from Wits. His research interests are mainly on effective teaching strategies in physics and the role of classroom talk in enhancing learner-centred approaches. He also researched how the construct of pedagogical content knowledge can be used in training pre-service teachers. He is a member of the Southern African Association for Researchers in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) and Chairperson of the local chapter – SAARMSTE-Lesotho Chapter