Lack of student motivation to learn and study has become a problem to education institutions the world over. Numerous factors contribute to this situation in South Africa. Research has found that in spite of student potential, as well as resources and facilities found in schools and in higher education institutions, students are not inspired to learn and study voluntarily and to the best of their abilities. Students should first be motivated to learn and study before they can take advantage of their potential, as well as resources and facilities in education institutions. Motivation is indispensable to learning because it influences independent interest in the learner and induces him/her to put some effort into the learning task. This article investigates, by means of the Study Process Questionnaire, the study approaches of grade twelve learners in township schools. The study has found that a significant number of students are not adequately motivated. The article concludes up with recommendations for schools. (Contains 2 tables.)