Abstract
The preparation of competent and enthusiastic science student teachers is important in the teaching of science and in the context of challenges facings science teacher education programme. Some of the challenges are difficulties of students to develop practical and conceptual understanding and how to transfer and relate scientific knowledge in life situations. The aim of the study was to investigate and explore the teaching methods and specific focus on the practical method that tutors at the college of education use to prepare student teachers to teach science at the junior high school. Approaches for teaching science such as learner- centred approach has been emphasised on how best tutors can use practical methods to engage students’ active learning for better understanding. A qualitative approach with descriptive design was used to guide the study. The main source of data collection was semi- structured interviews supported by observation and documents. The data collected and analysed were mainly sample from three science tutors and four science student teachers from the selected college of education. The data gathered was categorised into four main themes: science curriculum, inadequate time for teaching, teaching methods- teaching practice and teaching learning materials and equipment. The findings were organised thematically, analysed and interpreted descriptively in relation to the theoretical framework