2023-30 curriculum should address current challeng...

2023-30 curriculum should address current challenges: Education ministry

Zim Now Writer

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has started reviewing the 2015-2022 curriculum with the view to formulate a new Curriculum for the period 2023 to 2030, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Tumisang Thabela has said.

The Competence-Based Curriculum for primary and secondary schools was introduced in 2015, shifting focus away from academic to technical and vocational components that equip learners with knowledge, attitudes and skills for life and work.

Addressing over 30 media managers gathered at the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management in Zvimba last week, Thabela said the CBC, with the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities as a key feature, completed its seven-year circle in 2022.

The review process will assess the 2015-2022 curriculum framework, the successes, challenges, relevance and quality and learning points which will culminate in a new curriculum for the period 2023 to 2030.

So far the Ministry has engaged consultants to guide the review process and carried out a curriculum terminal evaluation where learners, teachers and SDCs have been consulted. With this done the evaluation process will now hold consultative meetings at the school, district, provincial and national levels.

“The purpose of today’s engagement is to inform you about the progress we are making as Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the challenges we are facing and the interventions required to close the gap as far as the curriculum review process is concerned. As members of the media you have a critical role in helping us communicate these messages and promoting dialogue and discussions on this important programme,” said Thabela.

Thabela described the media as an important stakeholder in the curriculum review process as their responsibility is to relay information. Several experts on curricula took the media managers through the workshop.

She said the adjusted 2015 curriculum that brings forth the 2023 curriculum will ensure that the content remains relevant by addressing new realities to the education needs while also attending to issues of disasters, including climate change-induced eventualities as well as pandemics such as Covid-19.