PhD student in Chemistry Education at the African Center of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), College of Education, University of Rwanda, RWANDA
Despite efforts to incorporate inquiry-based instruction into various science curricular, its
adoption has been slow-paced. This has raised many concerns about challenges in the enactment
of inquiry-based instruction. Therefore, this article seeks to provide an understanding of the
challenges by exploring the perspectives of teachers in the research literature, as well as suggest
possible ways of coping with these challenges. The review of literature has indicated that the
identification of what constitutes appropriate guidance in inquiry-based instruction, the threat of
time management, teachers’ deficiency in inquiry instructional techniques and strategies
constitute the most challenges. Although there are strong criticisms against guided inquiry
instruction, this study has found that it represents the most appropriate guidance for optimal
science learning. A sustained all-year-round training program with support from teaching
colleagues and from administration may certainly impact teachers’ self-efficacy in inquiry
instruction. With the level of progress made in inquiry instruction research, and the pace of
advancement of technology, the future of the adoption and enactment of inquiry in the classroom
can only be brighter. Future research needs to focus on determining the effects of a more
sustained all-year-round professional development model on the level of teachers’ achievement
in inquiry-based instruction.
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