‘Life Sciences’ is the scientific study of living things from molecular level to their interactions with one another and their environments.

At school level, all of these sub-disciplines are introduced, to varying degrees, to provide a broad overview of the subject, Life Sciences.

The three main reasons for taking Life Sciences are:

• to provide useful knowledge and skills that are needed in everyday life;
• to expose learners to the scope of biological studies to stimulate interest in and create awareness of possible
specialisations; and
• to provide a sufficient background for further studies in one or more of the biological sub-disciplines.

Physical Sciences investigate physical and chemical phenomena. This is done through scientific inquiry, application of scientific models, theories and laws in order to explain and predict events in the physical environment.  

This subject also deals with society’s need to understand how the physical environment works in order to benefit from it and responsibly care for it. All scientific and technological knowledge is used to address challenges facing society.

The main aim of Technical Sciences is to support learners in the three focus areas of technology, namely Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology and Civil Technology. Learners at Technical High Schools will be able to integrate scientific knowledge in a more informed way in their subject offerings in technology.

Scientific concepts and skills will be more accessible to learners that have a technical orientation in schooling. Technical Sciences will address the needs of the industry and the technology subjects by being an enabling subject to promote technology study in schools.